First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1winter
noun win·ter \ˈwin-tər\
: the coldest season of the year that is after autumn and before spring
Full Definition of WINTER
1
: the season between autumn and spring comprising in the northern hemisphere usually the months of December, January, and February or as reckoned astronomically extending from the December solstice to the March equinox
2
: the colder half of the year
3
: year <happened many winters ago>
4
: a period of inactivity or decay
See winter defined for English-language learners
See winter defined for kids
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Origin of WINTER
Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German wintar winter and perhaps to Lithuanian vanduo water, Old English wæter — more at water
Other Calendar Terms
2winter
verb
: to spend the winter in a particular place
: to care for or manage (animals) during the winter
win·teredwin·ter·ing \ˈwin-t(ə-)riŋ\
Full Definition of WINTER
intransitive verb
1
: to pass the winter <winters in the Caribbean>
2
: to feed or find food during the winter —used with on
transitive verb
: to keep, feed, or manage during the winter
See winter defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of WINTER
14th century
3winter
adjective
Definition of WINTER
1
: of, relating to, or suitable for winter <a winter vacation> <winter clothes>
2
: sown in the autumn and harvested in the following spring or summer <winter wheat> <winter rye> — compare summer
First Known Use of WINTER
14th century
WINTER Defined for Kids
1winter
noun win·ter \ˈwin-tər\
Definition of WINTER for Kids
1
: the season between autumn and spring (as from December to March in the northern half of the earth)
2
: one of the years of a person's life <a person of seventy winters>
2winter
verb
win·teredwin·ter·ing
Definition of WINTER for Kids
1
: to pass the winter <We wintered in Florida.>
2
: to keep, feed, or manage during the winter <The farmer winters livestock on silage.>
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