winter

[win-ter]

noun

1. the cold season between autumn and spring in northern latitudes (in the Northern Hemisphere from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox; in the Southern Hemisphere from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox).

2. the months of December, January, and February in the U.S., and of November, December, and January in Great Britain.

3. cold weather.

   a touch of winter in northern Florida.

4. the colder half of the year (summer ).

5. a whole year as represented by this season.

   a man of sixty winters.

6. a period like winter, as the last or final period of life; a period of decline, decay, inertia, dreariness, or adversity.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of winter.

   a winter sunset.

2. (of fruit and vegetables) of a kind that may be kept for use during the winter.

3. planted in the autumn to be harvested in the spring or early summer.

   winter rye.

verb (used without object)

1. to spend or pass the winter.

   to winter in Italy.

2. to keep, feed, or manage during the winter, as plants or cattle.

   plants wintering indoors.

winter

/ ˈwɪntə /

noun

1. 1. (sometimes capital) the coldest season of the year, between autumn and spring, astronomically from the December solstice to the March equinox in the N hemisphere and at the opposite time of year in the S hemisphere

   2. ( as modifier )

      winter pasture

2. the period of cold weather associated with the winter

3. a time of decline, decay, etc

4. poetic,  a year represented by this season

   a man of 72 winters

verb

1. (intr) to spend the winter in a specified place

2. to keep or feed (farm animals, etc) during the winter or (of farm animals) to be kept or fed during the winter

Other Word Forms

• winterish adjective
• winterless adjective
• winterer noun
• winterishly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of winter¹

before 900; (noun) Middle English, Old English; cognate with German Winter, Old Norse vetr, Gothic wintrus; (v.) Middle English, derivative of the noun; akin to wet, water

Word History and Origins

Origin of winter¹

Old English; related to Old Saxon, Old High German wintar, Old Norse vetr, Gothic wintrus

Example Sentences

The $143.7-million project will also cause lane closures Sept. 19 through Sept. 22 and is ultimately scheduled to be completed in winter 2028-2029.

From Los Angeles Times

He will be back in the team on one of this winter's tours, but I would have liked to have seen an arm around his shoulder this week.

From BBC

Mr Pitt said the scheme had been created "to give more financial help to some of our most vulnerable residents ahead of the winter, when people need to heat their homes".

From BBC

U-turns on proposed welfare cuts and winter fuel payments have also put pressure on the chancellor to find alternative revenue streams.

From BBC

It was in the midst of winter — if you can even call it that in L.A. — and the arena was packed.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cold