Snowbound means trapped in a place by heavy snow that blocks all the roads and paths leading out. When a blizzard dumps several feet of snow overnight, a family might wake up to find themselves snowbound in their house, unable to drive to town or even open the front door because of the massive snowdrift piled against it.

Being snowbound can last for hours or even days, depending on how much snow fell and how quickly plows can clear the roads. A mountain cabin might become snowbound during a winter storm, with its residents waiting by the fireplace until rescue crews can reach them. Schools sometimes close because buses can't navigate snowbound roads safely.

The word captures that specific feeling of being stuck, not by choice but by nature's power. Unlike just staying home on a snow day, being snowbound means you couldn't leave even if you wanted to. Pioneers traveling west sometimes found their wagon trains snowbound in mountain passes, a dangerous situation that required patience and careful rationing of supplies.

People also use snowbound to describe the cozy side of being stuck inside during heavy snow: reading books, playing games, and watching the white world outside while you're warm and safe within. A snowbound weekend might be frustrating if you had plans, but it can also become an unexpected adventure.