avalanche avalanche /ˈævəˌlæntʃ/

noun

1. A sudden appearance of an overwhelming number of things  ( avalanche )
   a sudden appearance of an overwhelming number of things
    The program brought an avalanche of mail
   the program brought an avalanche of mail
   
2. A slide of large masses of snow and ice and mud down a mountain  ( avalanche , snowslide [ N. American] )
   a slide of large masses of snow and ice and mud down a mountain
    The ski resort was closed due to the risk of an avalanche
   The ski resort was closed due to the risk of an avalanche
   
   

verb

1. Gather into a huge mass and roll down a mountain, of snow  ( avalanche , roll down )
   gather into a huge mass and roll down a mountain, of snow