sleet
1 of 2noun
ˈslēt 
: rain that freezes or partly freezes as it falls from the sky
Concerned that ice pellets—also known as sleet—were a larger hazard than previously thought, the Federal Aviation Administration in late 2005 adopted strict limits on planes taking off in such icy conditions.
Susan Carey and Andy Pasztor
Susan Carey and Andy PasztorThe wind blew bitterly cold, and the boughs of the old tree crackled under falling sleet. Harriet Jacobs
compare freezing rain, hail entry 1, snow entry 1 Harriet Jacobs sleety
ˈslē-tē
adjective sleet
2 of 2verb
sleeted; sleeting; sleets
intransitive verb
: to shower sleet
Example Sentences
Noun The snow turned to sleet and made driving very dangerous.
Recent Examples on the Web Emma Seymour, Good Housekeeping, 10 June 2022 Rain began to fall, softly at first, then with a force that included occasional sleet. Sunset Magazine, 28 July 2022 Several breathable yet toasty fleece jackets that have kept me warm and comfortable on many hikes through crazy sleet-one-minute-sunshine-the next weather in the Colorado mountains and late winter runs through my local park. Andrea Reeves, The Enquirer, 1 June 2022 Shortly before a sleet storm over the winter the Highway Department put in those reflector markers. Frank Fellone, Arkansas Online, 14 May 2022 As sleet fell on Monday in Cleveland, a handful of dancers paired up, twirling in front of the Chardon Polka Band performing outside of Gordon Green. Annie Nickoloff, cleveland, 18 Apr. 2022 Around the city, perhaps a few sleet pellets to start. Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2022 On a cold and gray opening day of the Keeneland Spring Meet that included nearly every kind of precipitation — snow, ice, sleet — Nest flew away from the rest in a stunning 8 1/4-length victory in the $600,000, Grade 1 Central Bank Ashland. Jason Frakes, The Courier-Journal, 8 Apr. 2022 Farther north in Buffalo, New York, the storm could potentially dump between 4 and 8 inches of snow, in addition to sleet and freezing rain. Aya Elamroussi, CNN, 25 Feb. 2022 See More
Noun
Best College Backpack for Bad Weather Designed specifically to withstand the elements, this backpack from Patagonia is made with nylon with a durable water repellent finish to keep your belongings safe from rain, snow and sleet. Emma Seymour, Good Housekeeping, 10 June 2022 Rain began to fall, softly at first, then with a force that included occasional sleet. Sunset Magazine, 28 July 2022 Several breathable yet toasty fleece jackets that have kept me warm and comfortable on many hikes through crazy sleet-one-minute-sunshine-the next weather in the Colorado mountains and late winter runs through my local park. Andrea Reeves, The Enquirer, 1 June 2022 Shortly before a sleet storm over the winter the Highway Department put in those reflector markers. Frank Fellone, Arkansas Online, 14 May 2022 As sleet fell on Monday in Cleveland, a handful of dancers paired up, twirling in front of the Chardon Polka Band performing outside of Gordon Green. Annie Nickoloff, cleveland, 18 Apr. 2022 Around the city, perhaps a few sleet pellets to start. Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2022 On a cold and gray opening day of the Keeneland Spring Meet that included nearly every kind of precipitation — snow, ice, sleet — Nest flew away from the rest in a stunning 8 1/4-length victory in the $600,000, Grade 1 Central Bank Ashland. Jason Frakes, The Courier-Journal, 8 Apr. 2022 Farther north in Buffalo, New York, the storm could potentially dump between 4 and 8 inches of snow, in addition to sleet and freezing rain. Aya Elamroussi, CNN, 25 Feb. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English slete; akin to Middle High German slōz hailstone
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
sleet 1 of 2
noun
ˈslēt
: frozen or partly frozen rain
sleet
2 of 2verb
sleeted; sleeting
: to shower sleet