Thaw (Noun)
Meaning 1
Warm weather following a freeze; snow and ice melt; "they welcomed the spring thaw".
Classification
Nouns denoting natural phenomena.
Examples
- The warm rains of March helped to ease the long hard winter with a gentle thaw.
- Residents of the small town welcomed the spring thaw after months of bitter cold.
- Gradually the snow and ice began to melt as the earth felt the effects of the thaw.
- The streets were filled with the sound of dripping water as the ice began to thaw.
- In the warmer light of April the great winter freeze began its thaw.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Related Words
Meaning 2
A relaxation or slackening of tensions or reserve; becoming less hostile; "the thaw between the United States and Russia has led to increased cooperation in world affairs".
Classification
Nouns denoting natural events.
Examples
- The thaw in relations between the two rival companies allowed them to collaborate on a major project.
- After years of tension, the thaw between the neighbors was a welcome relief to the entire community.
- The thaw in diplomatic relations between the two countries paved the way for a historic peace treaty.
- The recent thaw in the labor dispute has led to renewed negotiations and a possible resolution.
- The thaw in the cold war between the two superpowers marked a significant shift in global politics.
Hypernyms
Meaning 3
The process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid; "the power failure caused a refrigerator melt that was a disaster"; "the thawing of a frozen turkey takes several hours".
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- The slow thaw of the frozen lake revealed a hidden world beneath the ice.
- The refrigerator's automatic defrost feature initiated a thaw cycle every 24 hours.
- After a few hours of thaw, the frozen peas were ready to be added to the stir-fry.
- The sudden thaw caused the snow to melt rapidly, resulting in flash flooding.
- The thaw of the permafrost released ancient gases that had been trapped for centuries.