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

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

Their original flight to London was canceled during a blizzard and Kahl feared they would be rebooked in a different cabin given the rock-bottom fare.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

Then, on 23 February, almost 20 inches was recorded in Central Park as another blizzard hit the city.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

That’s unusual for the morning after a blizzard, when everybody stays home, drinking hot chocolate, and if you go out, it’s for sledding, or maybe building a snowman.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

Related Words

• gale
• precipitation
• squall