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definitions

squall

1
[skwawl]
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noun

a sudden, violent gust of wind, often accompanied by rain, snow, or sleet.
a sudden disturbance or commotion.

verb (used without object)

to blow as a squall.

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RELATED WORDS

gale, windstorm, tempest, gust, shower, flurry, blow, draft, storm, commotion, gush, trouble, blast, bluster, wind

Origin of squall

1
First recorded in 1690–1700; perhaps special use of squall2
Related formssquall·ish, adjective

squall

2
[skwawl]

verb (used without object)

to cry or scream loudly and violently: The hungry baby began to squall.

verb (used with object)

to utter in a screaming tone.

noun

the act or sound of squalling: The baby's squall was heard next door.

Origin of squall

2
1625–35; perhaps < Old Norse skvala shriek, cry; compare Swedish, Norwegian skvala splash, stream
Related formssquall·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for squall

Historical Examples of squall

British Dictionary definitions for squall

squall

1

noun

a sudden strong wind or brief turbulent storm
any sudden commotion or show of temper

verb

(intr) to blow in a squall
Derived Formssquallish, adjectivesqually, adjective

Word Origin for squall

C18: perhaps a special use of squall ²

squall

2

verb

(intr) to cry noisily; yell

noun

a shrill or noisy yell or howl
Derived Formssqualler, noun

Word Origin for squall

C17: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Icelandic skvala to shout; see squeal
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for squall
n.

"sudden, violent gust of wind," 1719, originally nautical, probably from a Scandinavian source (cf. Norwegian skval "sudden rush of water," Swedish skvala "to gush, pour down"), probably ultimately a derivative of squall (v.).

v.

"cry out loudly," 1630s, probably from Old Norse skvala "to cry out," of imitative origin (cf. squeal). Related: Squalled; squalling.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Science definitions for squall

squall

[skwôl]

A brief, sudden, violent windstorm, often accompanied by rain or snow. A squall is said to occur if a wind having a sustained speed of 40 km (25 mi) per hour lasts at least 1 minute and then decreases rapidly. See also squall line.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.