squall

¹ American  

[skwawl] / skwɔl /

noun

1. Meteorology. a sudden, strong wind of brief duration that is sustained for at least two minutes at a speed of at least 16 knots (18 miles per hour, 8 meters per second), often accompanied by precipitation, and then rapidly diminishes in speed.

   We can’t rule out some short spells of heavy rain, as occasional squalls from the north are expected later today.

2. Nautical. any local storm on navigable water that is typically sudden and severe, with strong winds often accompanied by precipitation and sometimes thunder and lightning.

   He got soaked in a squall out in the bay, but thank heavens his skiff was just a few dozen yards from shore.

3. a sudden disturbance or commotion.

   Holidays with her family were always unnerving—you never knew when a pleasant moment was going to erupt into a chaotic squall.

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verb (used without object)

1. Meteorology, Nautical. to blow as a squall.

   They say it may squall, but I say we should go ahead with our picnic plans.

squall ² American  

[skwawl] / skwɔl /

verb (used without object)

1. to cry or scream loudly and violently.

   The hungry baby began to squall.

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verb (used with object)

1. to utter in a screaming tone.

noun

1. the act or sound of squalling.

   The baby's squall was heard next door.

squall ¹ British  

/ skwɔːl /

noun

1. a sudden strong wind or brief turbulent storm

2. any sudden commotion or show of temper

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verb

1. (intr) to blow in a squall

squall ² British  

/ skwɔːl /

verb

1. (intr) to cry noisily; yell

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noun

1. a shrill or noisy yell or howl

squall Scientific  

/ skwôl /

1. 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.

2. See also squall line

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Other Word Forms

• squaller noun
• squallish adjective
• squally adjective

Etymology

Origin of squall¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; perhaps special use of squall ²

Origin of squall²

1625–35; perhaps < Old Norse skvala shriek, cry; compare Swedish, Norwegian skvala splash, stream

Explanation

A squall is a powerful, usually brief, burst of wind that usually brings rain or snow with it. When a snow squall blows across the mountain, skiers take a break in the ski lodge. A squall is a violent, windy storm, often involving driving rain or snow. You can also describe a storm-like commotion as a squall, or the sound a wailing child or baby makes. In this case, you're using onomatopoeia, or a word that sounds like what it describes. Squall was originally a nautical word, used primarily by sailors to talk about weather at sea.

Example Sentences

That so-called squall was enough to fuel inflation in the U.S., with the core PCE price index rising at an annual pace of 5.6% in September 2022, its highest rate in almost 40 years.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 28, 2026

Squinting through the squall offered Rosenior an alarming view as Malo Gusto's misjudgement let in Gabriel Martinelli before the Chelsea defender scrambled back to block the shot.

From Barron's • Feb. 3, 2026

Experts largely agree that the ship was largely undone by the biblical storm, a once-in-a-century squall that hammered Lake Superior with sustained winds of more than 50 mph.

From Slate • Nov. 10, 2025

The poor weather was forecast, Ms Brigantino says, but no-one expected a squall of such force.

From BBC • Jun. 23, 2025

Hearing a squall of pain from Little Ann, I turned.

From "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls

Related Words

• flurry
• gale
• gust
• shower
• windstorm