whiteout

American  

[hwahyt-out, wahyt-] / ˈʰwaɪtˌaʊt, ˈwaɪt- /

noun

1. Meteorology.

   1. a condition, found in polar regions, in which uniform illumination from snow on the ground and from a low cloud layer makes features of the landscape indistinguishable.

   2. a condition of heavily falling or blowing snow in which visibility is very poor.

2. an act or instance of whiting out with a correction fluid.

3. a white correction fluid used for this.

   a bottle of whiteout.

4. a mistake, as in typing, that has been whited out with a correction fluid.

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Etymology

Origin of whiteout

1940–45; whiteout ( defs. 2, 3, 4 ) noun use of verb phrase white out; whiteout ( def. 1 ) white + (black)out

Example Sentences

We have been warned about that in briefings, along with frostbite, wind, whiteouts, wind, intense cold, and finally, wind.

From Literature

At dusk the whiteout began to break up.

From Literature

Presidents Day also brought heavy snow to Northern California and the Eastern Sierra, with several feet predicted in the mountains and whiteout conditions near Mammoth Mountain and Lake Tahoe.

From Los Angeles Times

Presidents Day will also bring heavy snow to Northern California and the Eastern Sierra, with several feet predicted in the mountains and whiteout conditions near Mammoth and Lake Tahoe.

From Los Angeles Times

My college applications—each in its bulky envelope, larded with paper clips, staples and whiteout—had to be postmarked by noon.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• gale
• precipitation
• squall