tornado

noun

tor·​na·​do tȯr-ˈnā-(ˌ)dō 

plural tornadoes or tornados

1

a

: a violent destructive whirling wind accompanied by a funnel-shaped cloud that progresses in a narrow path over the land

b

: a squall accompanying a thunderstorm in Africa

2

: a violent windstorm : whirlwind

3

archaic : a tropical thunderstorm

Examples of tornado in a Sentence

in the path of a tornado

Recent Examples on the Web

While all of these are often referred to as fire tornadoes or firenadoes, researchers have detected subtle differences in how they are organized. —Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025

And the same for tornadoes and hurricanes and fires. —CBS News, 13 July 2025

Unlike tornadoes or hurricanes, that five-day heat wave was an unpredictable weather disaster in slow motion, the magnitude of which went unrecognized for several days for several reasons. —Cory Franklin, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025

And damage to roofs and interior contents is typically only covered if caused by high-speed winds during hurricanes, tornadoes or other severe weather. —Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 12 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

modification of Spanish tronada thunderstorm, from tronar to thunder, from Latin tonare — more at thunder entry 1

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for tornado

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

Kids Definition

tornado

noun

tor·​na·​do tȯr-ˈnād-ō 

plural tornadoes or tornados

: a violent destructive whirling wind accompanied by a funnel-shaped cloud that moves in a narrow path over the land