billow
noun
a great wave or surge of the sea.
was billowing
-
past progressiveof billow.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Heavy smoke was billowing across the sky from the structure.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2025
Fierce flames lit up the night sky overnight, and on Saturday helicopters were seen dropping water on areas close to homes where smoke was billowing into the air.
From Reuters ● Aug. 19, 2023
“I was told that there was a stampede out at the main entrance when black smoke was billowing through the building.”
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 29, 2022
Heavy ash and smoke was billowing from the hillsides west of Colorado Springs and southbound traffic was temporarily closed on the Interstate 25 motorway, which runs through the town.
From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2012
Ahead of us it was billowing like waves on the sea.
From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell
