A snowbank is a large mound or pile of snow that accumulates along the side of a road, driveway, or building. When snowplows clear streets during winter storms, they push the snow to the edges, creating tall banks that can tower over a child's head. These banks form naturally too: wind blows falling snow into drifts that pile up against fences, walls, or anything that blocks the wind's path.

Snowbanks can last for weeks or even months in cold climates, slowly melting as temperatures rise. Kids often tunnel into snowbanks to create forts or caves, though this can be dangerous if the snow isn't stable or starts to melt. In northern cities, snowbanks line the streets all winter long, narrowing roads and sometimes hiding fire hydrants or parked cars completely.

The word bank here means a raised pile or ridge, like a riverbank is the raised ground along a river's edge. A snowbank is simply a bank made of snow rather than earth.