noun
winter
WIHN-tuh
noun
1
The coldest season of the year, between autumn and spring.
"They spent the winter skiing in the Alps."
"Heating bills always spike in winter."
2
Figuratively, a period of decline, hardship, or dormancy.
"The band's career hit a long winter after the label dropped them."
verb
1
To spend the winter season somewhere.
"The family winters in Florida every year."
2
To keep or store something through the winter to protect it from the cold.
"Farmers wintered the cattle in the barn."
How to Use Winter
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe cold season of the year — also used to describe a rough or dormant period in someone's life or career.
Common pairings
harsh winter
winter months
dead of winter
winter in Florida
Word Forms
wintered past tense, winters plural, Winters plural, winters singular
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Etymology
From Old English winter, from a Proto-Germanic root shared with Dutch winter and German Winter.