winter

[win-ter] /ˈwɪn tər/
noun
1.
the cold season between autumn and spring in northern latitudes (in the Northern Hemisphere from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox; in the Southern Hemisphere from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox).
2.
the months of December, January, and February in the U.S., and of November, December, and January in Great Britain.
3.
cold weather:
a touch of winter in northern Florida.
4.
the colder half of the year (opposed to summer).
5.
a whole year as represented by this season:
a man of sixty winters.
6.
a period like winter, as the last or final period of life; a period of decline, decay, inertia, dreariness, or adversity.
adjective
7.
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of winter:
a winter sunset.
8.
(of fruit and vegetables) of a kind that may be kept for use during the winter.
9.
planted in the autumn to be harvested in the spring or early summer:
winter rye.
verb (used without object)
10.
to spend or pass the winter:
to winter in Italy.
11.
to keep, feed, or manage during the winter, as plants or cattle:
plants wintering indoors.
Origin
before 900; (noun) Middle English, Old English; cognate with German Winter, Old Norse vetr, Gothic wintrus; (v.) Middle English, derivative of the noun; akin to wet, water
Related forms
winterer, noun
winterish, adjective
winterishly, adverb
winterless, adjective
Examples from the web for winter
  • But with the winter hibernation season closing in, it's sad to know that more bats are sure to die.
  • What to do with your dahlias in cold winter areas.
  • Foliage emits a strong wintergreen odor when bruised, turns reddish with winter cold.
  • Make some jam and you'll be eating your mulberries in the cold of winter with a smile.
  • It was especially welcomed during the cold winter months.
  • Plants that have evolved in cold-weather climates become dormant in the winter to avoid frost damage.
  • The problem with too many cold gray skies and too much winter white snow is that it leaves the eyeballs color-deprived.
  • If you need an extra push to help rationalize your geeky expenditures, consider the cold winter weather.
  • Atmospheric scientists believe the decrease was triggered by an unusually cold winter.
  • Not much can survive here, and what does survive has to withstand the winter's cold and darkness.
British Dictionary definitions for winter

winter

/ˈwɪntə/
noun
1.
  1. (sometimes capital) the coldest season of the year, between autumn and spring, astronomically from the December solstice to the March equinox in the N hemisphere and at the opposite time of year in the S hemisphere
  2. (as modifier): winter pasture
2.
the period of cold weather associated with the winter
3.
a time of decline, decay, etc
4.
(mainly poetic) a year represented by this season: a man of 72 winters, related adjectives brumal hibernal hiemal
verb
5.
(intransitive) to spend the winter in a specified place
6.
to keep or feed (farm animals, etc) during the winter or (of farm animals) to be kept or fed during the winter
Derived Forms
winterer, noun
winterish, winter-like, adjective
winterless, adjective
Word Origin
Old English; related to Old Saxon, Old High German wintar, Old Norse vetr, Gothic wintrus
Word Origin and History for winter
n.

Old English, "fourth season of the year," from Proto-Germanic *wentruz (cf. Old Frisian, Dutch winter, Old Saxon, Old High German wintar, German winter, Danish and Swedish vinter, Gothic wintrus, Old Norse vetr "winter"), possibly from PIE *wed-/*wod-/*ud- "wet" (see water), or from *wind- "white" (cf. Celtic vindo- "white").

The Anglo-Saxons counted years in "winters," cf. Old English ænetre "one-year-old." Old Norse Vetrardag, first day of winter, was the Saturday that fell between Oct. 10 and 16.

v.

"to pass the winter (in some place)," late 14c., from winter (n.). Related: Wintered; wintering.

Encyclopedia Article for winter

coldest season of the year, between autumn and spring; the name comes from an old Germanic word that means "time of water" and refers to the rain and snow of winter in middle and high latitudes. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is commonly regarded as extending from the winter solstice (year's shortest day), December 21 or 22, to the vernal equinox (day and night equal in length), March 20 or 21, and in the Southern Hemisphere, from June 21 or 22 to September 22 or 23. The low temperatures associated with winter occur only in middle and high latitudes; in equatorial regions, temperatures are almost uniformly high throughout the year. For physical causes of the seasons, see season.

Learn more about winter with a free trial on Britannica.com