twister

noun

twist·​er ˈtwi-stər How to pronounce twister (audio)
1
: one that twists
especially : a ball with a forward and spinning motion
2
: a tornado, waterspout, or dust devil in which the rotatory ascending movement of a column of air is especially apparent

Examples of twister in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In 2024, the state has already experienced more than 90 tornadoes — more than double the number of twisters Oklahoma would ordinarily see at this point in the year. Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 28 May 2024 Drone footage of the damage captured by professional storm chasers Reed Timmer and Mike Scantlin showed the massive twister tearing through the town. Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 25 May 2024 Video of the direct hit on the wind farm near Greenfield, Iowa, showed frightening images of the violent twister ripping through the countryside, uprooting trees, damaging buildings and sending dirt and debris high into the air. Sean Murphy, Fortune, 23 May 2024 The twister moved northeast through Prairie Village toward Fairway, according to the NWS, before ending near Mission Hills at 10:50 p.m.. Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 21 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for twister 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'twister.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of twister was in 1579

Dictionary Entries Near twister

Cite this Entry

“Twister.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/twister. Accessed 12 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

twister

noun
twist·​er ˈtwis-tər How to pronounce twister (audio)
1
: one that twists
2

More from Merriam-Webster on twister

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!