frostbite

American  

[frawst-bahyt, frost-] / ˈfrɔstˌbaɪt, ˈfrɒst- /

noun

1. injury to any part of the body after excessive exposure to extreme cold, sometimes progressing from initial redness and tingling to gangrene.

---

verb (used with object)

frostbit, frostbitten, frostbiting

1. to injure by frost or extreme cold.

frostbite British  

/ ˈfrɒstˌbaɪt /

noun

1. destruction of tissues, esp those of the fingers, ears, toes, and nose, by freezing, characterized by tingling, blister formation, and gangrene

2. a type of small sailing dinghy

---

frostbite Scientific  

/ frôst′bīt′ /

1. Damage to a part of the body as a result of exposure to freezing temperatures. It is caused by a loss of blood supply and the formation of ice crystals in the affected body part.

---

Etymology

Origin of frostbite

First recorded in 1605–15; frost + bite

Explanation

People get frostbite when their skin is exposed to extremely cold temperatures for long enough that their tissue is damaged. High altitude hikers in snowy conditions are vulnerable to frostbite. If your friend scolds you for not wearing your gloves on a bitterly cold day, she's not just giving you a hard time — she might be worried that you'll get frostbite on your fingers. Severe frostbite results in dead tissue and skin, and even the amputation of fingers or toes. Frostbitten came before frostbite, from the idea that your painfully cold fingers have been bitten by frost.

Example Sentences

Touching the camera’s metal body could cause frostbite, forcing her to use a stabilizing cushion to separate the camera from her body at all times.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

I watched a medic spray a man with saline solution, while another medic treated a man with frostbite, at tables that would normally be set for lunch.

From Slate • Jan. 25, 2026

The spokesman also told AFP that most of the casualties were caused by roof collapses and avalanches, while many also died from frostbite in sub-zero temperatures.

From Barron's • Jan. 24, 2026

The labour market is "frozen with frostbite", said Allison Shrivastava, an economist with the Indeed Hiring Lab.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2025

All told, five members of the Taiwanese team—two with severe frostbite and one already dead—were plucked from McKinley by chopper.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer

Related Words

• chill
• snow