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winterkill

American  
[win-ter-kil] / ˈwɪn tərˌkɪl /

verb (used with or without object)

  1. to kill by or die from exposure to the cold of winter, as wheat.


noun

  1. an act or instance of winterkilling.

  2. death resulting from winterkilling.

winterkill British  
/ ˈwɪntəˌkɪl /

verb

  1. to kill (crops or other plants) by exposure to frost, cold, etc, or (of plants) to die by this means

"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

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of winterkill

First recorded in 1810–20; winter + kill 1


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.

See Examples For:

John Vore, game management bureau chief for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, tells the Helena Independent Record https://goo.gl/5ysBrN that in most parts of the state, winterkill was minimal.

From Washington Times ● Aug. 20, 2017

But in the case of smaller, shallower lakes that are prone to winterkill, Weigel said, that’s not an option.

From Washington Times ● Jul. 7, 2014

Plains and Midwest winter wheat belt the threat of winterkill remained low because of an insulating blanket of snow.

From Reuters ● Dec. 13, 2013

Keeney said a cold snap this week may have caused some minor winterkill in areas of western Nebraska, and a blast of cold Arctic air is expected next week centered on the Midwest.

From Reuters ● Jan. 15, 2013

On the other hand, it is well to delay pruning in northern climates until after a heavy freeze in the autumn, to winterkill and wither immature wood so that it can be removed in pruning.

From Manual of American Grape-Growing by U. P. Hedrick

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