What does hailstorm mean?
A hailstorm is a weather event in which hailstones fall, usually during a thunderstorm. Hail forms when droplets of water are carried into freezing air and freeze, sometimes growing into balls or irregular lumps of ice as strong updrafts repeatedly lift them. Severe hailstorms can damage roofs, vehicles, windows, and crops, making the word especially familiar in reports of extreme weather. It should not be confused with an ice storm, which produces freezing rain and coats surfaces with ice. Figuratively, “a hailstorm of” describes a sudden barrage of criticism, questions, or bad news, emphasizing the number and force of the responses. The expression is commonly countable, as in “a hailstorm struck the region,” and is standard in both British and American English. Its usefulness lies in naming a specific combination of thunderstorm conditions and falling ice while also providing a vivid metaphor for an overwhelming flood of unwelcome attention.
nounA storm in which hailstones fall, usually as part of a thunderstorm. Figuratively, it can refer to a rapid barrage of criticism, questions, or unwelcome news.
- A literal storm in which hailstones fall, commonly as part of a larger thunderstorm.
- A figurative barrage, especially of criticism, questions, or unwelcome news.
"The roof buckled when a violent hailstorm swept across the valley."
"The roof buckled when a violent hailstorm swept across the valley."
"Her proposal was met with a hailstorm of objections from the committee."
The regular plural is used when referring to multiple hailstorms.
"Severe hailstorms damaged orchards across the region."
Hailstones can be held aloft by a thunderstorm’s powerful updrafts, growing as they are repeatedly lifted back into freezing air.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hailstorm come from?
The English word is a compound of hail, meaning frozen precipitation, and storm. Its elements have Germanic ancestry: hail continues Old English hæl, while storm continues Old English storm, and both words have cognates in other Germanic languages. German Hagelsturm and Swedish hagelstorm are closely parallel compounds meaning a storm accompanied by hail.
Related word forms
How hailstorm is actually used
The word has a neutral meteorological meaning but often conveys severity, damage, or an overwhelming amount of something. The standard spelling is one word, and the noun is normally used with an article or a possessive form.
Easily confused with hailstorm
A hailstorm consists of falling balls or lumps of ice, whereas an ice storm is a winter storm that coats surfaces in freezing rain or ice.