blizzard

American  

[bliz-erd] / ˈblɪz ərd /

noun

1. Meteorology.

   1. a storm, technically an extratropical cyclone, with dry, driving snow, strong winds, and intense cold.

   2. a heavy and prolonged snowstorm covering a wide area.

2. an inordinately large amount all at one time.

   a blizzard of Christmas cards.

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verb (used without object)

1. to snow as a blizzard.

   Looks as though it's going to blizzard tonight.

blizzard British  

/ ˈblɪzəd /

noun

1. a strong bitterly cold wind accompanied by a widespread heavy snowfall

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blizzard Scientific  

/ blĭz′ərd /

1. A violent snowstorm with winds blowing at a minimum speed of 56 km (35 mi) per hour and visibility of less 400 m (0.25 mi) for three hours.

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Other Word Forms

• blizzardly adjective
• blizzardy adjective

Etymology

Origin of blizzard

An Americanism first recorded in 1820–30 for earlier meaning “violent blow, shot”; compare British dialectal (Midlands) blizzer, blizzom “blaze, flash, anything that blinds momentarily”; probably expressive formations with components of blast, blaze ¹, bluster, etc.

Example Sentences

An amber snow warning remains in force in parts of northern Scotland with blizzard conditions forecast until midday.

From BBC

“They bring friends and colleagues. They show up in a blizzard.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Strong winds on Saturday will bring blizzards and drifts of snow with the north-west Highlands and Grampians perhaps seeing as much as 60cm of snow by the end of the weekend.

From BBC

Snow accumulations could be around 2-10cm at low levels but up to 20-30cm over higher ground with some drifting and blizzards.

From BBC

Western College of Auctioneering’s 265th class ended the day a blizzard blew through Bozeman.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• gale
• precipitation
• squall