How Do You Spell HAILSTONE?

Pronunciation: [hˈe͡ɪlstə͡ʊn] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "hailstone" is quite straightforward when one looks at its phonetic transcription. It is spelled as /heɪlstoʊn/, with the stress falling on the first syllable, "heɪl." The "eɪ" diphthong represents the long "a" sound in English, while the "oʊ" represents the long "o" sound. The final "n" indicates that it is a singular noun. Hailstones are solid precipitation formed in thunderstorm clouds and are made up of layers of ice.

HAILSTONE Meaning and Definition

1. A hailstone refers to a frozen or solid precipitation that forms within a cumulonimbus cloud during a severe thunderstorm. With a round or irregular shape, hailstones are sturdy and usually consist of layers of ice surrounding a central nucleus. These icy projectiles range in size, starting as tiny pellets and growing to become as large as golf balls or even softballs.

   Hailstones are formed through a complex process that begins when supercooled water droplets are carried upward by strong updrafts within a thunderstorm. As these water droplets rise into freezing temperatures, layers of ice start to form around them, gradually growing in size as they collide with other supercooled droplets. This process continues until the hailstone becomes too heavy for the updrafts to support, causing it to fall towards the ground.

   The destructive impact of hailstones can lead to extensive damage to crops, vehicles, and property, posing a significant threat to structures and human safety. Severe hailstorms are often accompanied by strong winds and heavy rainfall, magnifying the potential for destruction. Hailstones can puncture roofs, shatter windows, strip vegetation, and cause injury to people or animals caught outside during a storm.

   Due to the destructive nature of hailstorms, meteorologists closely monitor and measure hailstone sizes, providing crucial information to forecasters and residents to prepare for severe weather events. The size and frequency of hailstones help classify the intensity of thunderstorms within the existing Hail Size Scale, aiding in the issuance of watches and warnings to ensure public safety.

2. A drop of rain frozen while falling.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for HAILSTONE

• silstone
• charlstone
• hailton
• bilstone
• bailstone
• hailsatone
• halistone
• oylstone
• eaglstone
• Halsyone
• Halsione
• Ralstone
• hivilstone
• hairstone
• meearestone

Etymology of HAILSTONE

The word "hailstone" is derived from the Old English word "hagolstān", which can be broken down into two parts: "hagol" meaning "hail" and "stān" meaning "stone". This term refers to the small, icy pellets formed in thunderstorms with strong updrafts, which fall from the sky as frozen precipitation. The combination of these words in Old English eventually gave rise to the term "hailstone" in Middle English, and it has been used to describe these frozen particles ever since.

Similar spelling words for HAILSTONE

• hallstand,
• Halsted,
• hallstrom,
• Halstead,
• halogeton,
• hailstorm.

Plural form of HAILSTONE is HAILSTONES