freezing rain

American  

noun

1. rain that falls as a liquid but freezes into glaze upon contact with the ground.

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Etymology

Origin of freezing rain

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

A massive winter storm continues to hit large parts of the country, dumping snow, sleet and freezing rain and leaving hundreds of thousands without power in the South.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 31, 2026

Meteorologists said to expect heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 25, 2026

“In addition, widespread freezing rain and sleet are expected across the Southern Plains, the Lower Mississippi Valley, the Tennessee Valley, and the Southeast.”

From Barron's • Jan. 23, 2026

The storm is expected to bring widespread heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain to parts of the South on Friday and then spread eastward over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 22, 2026

Sleet and freezing rain slapped the sidewalk, making slick spots.

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows