Sleet: meaning, definitions and examples
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sleet
[ sliːt ]
weather phenomenon
Sleet refers to a type of precipitation that consists of small ice pellets. It occurs during winter when rain falls through a layer of freezing air near the ground, causing it to freeze before reaching the surface. Sleet is distinct from snow, which is composed of crystalline water ice, and from rain, which is liquid water. The presence of sleet can create hazardous driving conditions and may contribute to accumulation on surfaces. Sleet typically occurs in regions experiencing fluctuating temperatures during winter months.
Synonyms
frozen rain, ice pellets
Examples of usage
- Be careful; there's sleet on the roads.
- The weather forecast predicts sleet tomorrow.
- I hate driving in sleet because it makes the roads slippery.
- Sleet can make walking outside quite dangerous, especially on untreated sidewalks.
Translations
Translations of the word "sleet" in other languages:
🇵🇹 chuva de granizo
🇮🇳 बर्फीला वर्षा
🇩🇪 Schneeregen
🇮🇩 hujan es
🇺🇦 слякоть
🇵🇱 śnieg z deszczem
🇯🇵 みぞれ
🇫🇷 neige fondue
🇪🇸 aguanieve
🇹🇷 süper kar
🇰🇷 진눈깨비
🇸🇦 مطر ثلجي
🇨🇿 sněhové srážky
🇸🇰 sneženie
🇨🇳 冻雨
🇸🇮 sneženje
🇮🇸 snjókoma
🇰🇿 қар жауу
🇬🇪 თოვლი
🇦🇿 qar yağıntısı
🇲🇽 nieve
Word origin
The word 'sleet' originates from the Old English word 'slēat', which referred to a slushy mixture of snow and rain. Throughout the centuries, the term has evolved to specifically denote the occurrence of ice pellets that form during specific meteorological conditions. In Middle English, the word was not commonly used in a singular sense, but its use became more defined with the growth of meteorological studies. The modern definition encapsulates the combination of precipitation types that includes rain that freezes during its descent, making it an essential term in weather reporting and forecasts. Understanding sleet has become increasingly important in modern meteorology because of its impact on travel and safety during winter storms.