Pronunciation: [hˈe͡ɪlstə͡ʊnz] (IPA) 
The word "hailstones" is a combination of two words - "hail" and "stones". When pronounced, "hail" is written as /heɪl/ and "stones" as /stoʊnz/. The spelling of "hailstones" is phonetically correct when the "ai" in "hail" is pronounced as a long "a" sound /eɪ/. However, it is important to note that the "ai" sound can also be pronounced as a diphthong in some accents, such as in British English where it is pronounced as /aɪ/.
Hailstones refer to small, solid balls or irregularly shaped pellets of ice that are formed and fall from the sky during a hailstorm. They are a type of precipitation and are commonly encountered in severe thunderstorms or cumulonimbus clouds, where powerful updrafts carry raindrops upwards into extremely cold regions of the atmosphere. As a result, these raindrops freeze into ice pellets as they are repeatedly cycled through areas with supercooled water droplets.
Hailstones can vary in size, ranging from tiny grains to large spheres, with diameters that can exceed several centimeters. These frozen projectiles are often translucent or transparent, and their appearance can range from clear, resembling ice cubes, to milky or opaque if trapped air bubbles create a cloudy appearance.
Due to their solid and icy nature, hailstones can pose potential hazards to both people and property during a hailstorm. Depending on their size, they have the potential to cause damage to buildings, vehicles, crops, and other structures. In extreme cases, large hailstones can even injure or harm humans or animals caught outside when a hailstorm occurs.
Hailstones are typically short-lived, only lasting for a brief period before melting, especially in warmer environments. This differs from other forms of solid precipitation like snow or ice pellets, which can persist on the ground for extended periods. The study of hailstones and hailstorm can aid in understanding severe weather patterns, climate, and its impact on various ecosystems.
The word "hailstones" is derived from the Middle English term "hailston", which can be further traced back to the Old English term "hagolstān". The Old English term is a combination of "hagol", meaning "hail", and "stān", meaning "stone". So, "hailstones" literally means "hail stones" or stones made of hail.
