blizzard

American  

[bliz-erd] / ˈblɪz ərd /

noun

• blizzards
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• blizzardly
  adjective
• blizzardy
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• blizzards
  plural

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.

Explanation

A blizzard is a large winter storm, characterized by heavy snowfall and accompanied by high winds. We're not talking flurry or a snowsquall. It's the kind of snow storm you read about. If you had to shovel 5 inches of snow off of your sidewalk, the snow storm was probably just a snow storm, an annoyance perhaps but not a blizzard. A blizzard is a huge snowstorm that results in the disruption of normal activities. Offices close, schools are shut down, streets are snow-packed, and people stay at home. The word can also be used figuratively, to mean "a rash" of something — like the blizzard of insurance forms you had to complete after surgery.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

blizzard blizzards

At the word “affordable,” a blizzard of dollar bills begins to fall behind him.

From Salon ● Aug. 5, 2026

Between the early mornings, late nights and the change of climate from rainforest conditions one minute to a blizzard the next, Aitch says it was "just all a lot".

From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026

Warsh hinted at a blizzard of changes ahead, but the biggest arguably may be dispensing with consideration of the markets’ reaction to the Fed’s words.

From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026

The arrests were announced in a blizzard of social media posts and on Syrian TV.

From Slate ● May 27, 2026

When money gave out and food ran low, Katie and the children pretended they were explorers discovering the North Pole and had been trapped by a blizzard in a cave with just a little food.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

Storm Dave is forecast to bring blizzards and high winds to large areas of Scotland.

From BBC ● Apr. 3, 2026

And that’s to say nothing of the multiple blizzards that recently wreaked havoc in the U.S.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 3, 2026

Or as in the Northeast today, when it snows it blizzards.

From Barron's ● Feb. 24, 2026

But amid blizzards, subzero winds, outrageous acts of state terror and every other despair lurking in The Big Dark, it’s a readily accessible, harmonious cul-de-sac in an era of rampant tone deafness.

From Salon ● Feb. 7, 2026

Surely it won’t rival the winter of 1922, when ice storms were followed by blizzards and nobody could get any relief?

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline

Related Words

• gale
• precipitation
• squall