squall
1 Americannoun
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Meteorology. a sudden, strong wind of brief duration that is sustained for at least two minutes at a speed of at least 16 knots (18 miles per hour, 8 meters per second), often accompanied by precipitation, and then rapidly diminishes in speed.
We can’t rule out some short spells of heavy rain, as occasional squalls from the north are expected later today.
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Nautical. any local storm on navigable water that is typically sudden and severe, with strong winds often accompanied by precipitation and sometimes thunder and lightning.
He got soaked in a squall out in the bay, but thank heavens his skiff was just a few dozen yards from shore.
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a sudden disturbance or commotion.
Holidays with her family were always unnerving—you never knew when a pleasant moment was going to erupt into a chaotic squall.
verb (used without object)
verb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
noun
noun
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a sudden strong wind or brief turbulent storm
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any sudden commotion or show of temper
verb
verb
noun
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A brief, sudden, violent windstorm, often accompanied by rain or snow. A squall is said to occur if a wind having a sustained speed of 40 km (25 mi) per hour lasts at least 1 minute and then decreases rapidly.
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See also squall line
Other Word Forms
- squaller noun
- squallish adjective
- squally adjective
Etymology
Origin of squall1
First recorded in 1690–1700; perhaps special use of squall 2
Origin of squall2
1625–35; perhaps < Old Norse skvala shriek, cry; compare Swedish, Norwegian skvala splash, stream
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That so-called squall was enough to fuel inflation in the U.S., with the core PCE price index rising at an annual pace of 5.6% in September 2022, its highest rate in almost 40 years.
From MarketWatch
That so-called squall was enough to fuel inflation in the U.S., with the core PCE price index rising at an annual pace of 5.6% in September 2022, the highest rate in almost 40 years.
From MarketWatch
“Rowdy,” I whispered, “you keep your eyes open and whatever it is that’s squalling like that, don’t let it get too close to us.”
From Literature
Baby Max hurled his overheated bulk into her lap, squalling like a siren.
From Literature
Simon also proved to have a knack for calming a squalling infant, so he was quickly put to work.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
