frostbite

1 of 3

verb

frost·​bite ˈfrȯs(t)-ˌbīt 

frostbit ˈfrȯs(t)-ˌbit  ; frostbitten ˈfrȯs(t)-ˌbi-tᵊn  ; frostbiting ˈfrȯs(t)-ˌbī-tiŋ 

transitive verb

: to affect or injure by frost or frostbite

frostbite

2 of 3

noun

: the superficial or deep freezing of the tissues of some part of the body (such as the feet or hands)

also : the damage to tissues caused by freezing compare frostnip

frostbite

3 of 3

adjective

: done in cold weather

frostbite sailing

also : of or relating to cold-weather sailing

frostbite sailors

Examples of frostbite in a Sentence

Noun

He wore gloves to prevent frostbite.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Trying to stay warm, positive and avoid frostbite during visit in May to daughter’s home in Montana Greetings from the beautiful hills of Montana. —Irv Erdos, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 May 2024

The wind will make temperatures feel 10 to 15 degrees colder, National Weather Service meteorologist Luis Rosa said, making frostbite and hypothermia a real threat to fans. —Dillon Mullan, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1574, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1798, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1941, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

frostbite

1 of 2 verb

frost·​bite ˈfrȯs(t)-ˌbīt 

frostbit -ˌbit  ; frostbitten -ˌbit-ᵊn  ; frostbiting -ˌbīt-iŋ 

: to injure by frost or frostbite

frostbite

2 of 2 noun

: the freezing of a surface or deeper layer of tissues of some part of the body (as the feet or hands)

Medical Definition

frostbite

1 of 2 transitive verb

frost·​bite ˈfrȯs(t)-ˌbīt 

frostbit -ˌbit  ; frostbitten -ˌbit-ᵊn  ; frostbiting -ˌbīt-iŋ 

: to affect or injure by frost or frostbite

frostbite

2 of 2 noun

: the superficial or deep freezing of the tissues of some part of the body (as the feet or hands)

also : the damage to tissues caused by freezing