26984 words

thaw

7 definitions • 10 examples
1
to (cause to) change from a solid, frozen state to a liquid or soft one, because of an increase in temperature:

Examples:

Allow the meat to thaw completely before cooking it.
The sun came out and thawed the ice.
It's beginning to thaw (= the weather is warm enough for snow and ice to melt).
2
to become friendlier or more relaxed:

Examples:

The report shows that relations between the two enemies may be thawing.
3
an increase in friendliness:

Examples:

There are signs of a thaw in relations between the two countries.
4
a period of warmer weather when snow and ice begin to melt:

Examples:

There was an early thaw this year.
5
to cause something frozen and hard to become warmer and often softer or liquid:

Examples:

Remove the meat from the freezer and let it thaw.
It may take a couple of hours to thaw out.
6
a period of warmer weather when snow and ice begin to melt:

Examples:

With the spring thaw, the rivers and lakes swelled.
7
A thaw is also a change to a friendlier attitude esp. between people or countries that were enemies:

Examples:

It was hoped that the agreement to exchange athletes would lead to a thaw in relations between the two countries.

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