Avalanching: meaning, definitions and examples

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avalanching

 

[ əˈvælənʧɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

natural disaster

Avalanching refers to the process by which a mass of snow, ice, and debris rapidly moves down a slope due to gravity. This phenomenon often occurs in mountainous regions, particularly after heavy snowfall or warming temperatures that destabilize the snowpack. During an avalanche, the moving mass can reach high speeds and may carry with it trees, rocks, and other materials. Avalanching can pose significant risks to people, structures, and natural ecosystems in the vicinity.

Synonyms

landslide, slide, snowfall

Examples of usage

  • The hikers were warned about the risk of avalanching on the mountain.
  • Avalanching can be triggered by sudden changes in temperature.
  • The ski resort closed due to high avalanching danger.
  • Officials monitored the weather closely to prevent avalanching.

Translations

Translations of the word "avalanching" in other languages:

🇵🇹 avalanche

🇮🇳 बर्फीला तूफान

🇩🇪 Lawine

🇮🇩 runtuh salju

🇺🇦 лавина

🇵🇱 lawina

🇯🇵 雪崩

🇫🇷 avalanche

🇪🇸 avalancha

🇹🇷 çığ

🇰🇷 눈사태

🇸🇦 انهيار ثلجي

🇨🇿 lavina

🇸🇰 lavína

🇨🇳 雪崩

🇸🇮 plaz

🇮🇸 snjóflóð

🇰🇿 лавина

🇬🇪 ულვაში

🇦🇿 qar uçqunu

🇲🇽 avalancha

Etymology

The word 'avalanche' is derived from the French word 'avalanche,' which means a 'fall' or 'descent.' It has its roots in the Latin term 'avellere,' meaning 'to dislodge' or 'to pull away.' The term became popular in the 18th century as the study of mountain phenomena grew, particularly in Europe where avalanches posed significant risks to alpine regions and travelers. Over time, the concept evolved to describe not just the physical event of snow and ice falling, but also the dynamics involved in their movement. The verb form 'avalanching' emphasizes the action of the avalanche as it occurs. This word is now commonly used in meteorology, safety reports, and winter sports discussions to describe the dangers and mechanics of such natural occurrences.