Main Entry:

tor·na·do

Pronunciation:

\tȯr-ˈnā-(ˌ)dō\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural tor·na·does or tor·na·dos

Etymology:

modification of Spanish tronada thunderstorm, from tronar to thunder, from Latin tonare — more at thunder

Date:

1556

1archaic : a tropical thunderstorm2 a: a squall accompanying a thunderstorm in Africa b: a violent destructive whirling wind accompanied by a funnel-shaped cloud that progresses in a narrow path over the land3: a violent windstorm : whirlwind