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

The rounds of showers and storms will bring the threat of damaging winds, hail, a few tornadoes and chances for flash flooding in certain areas. — Aleem Agha, ABC News, 18 July 2026

After days of smoky skies and heavy heat, New Yorkers on Saturday were once again bracing for severe weather, which is expected to include intense thunderstorms, isolated tornadoes, and hail. — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 18 July 2026

Multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms are expected to inundate the area through Saturday evening, worsening flooding and bringing damaging winds and potential tornadoes, the weather service said. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Thunderstorms, flooding and a possible risk of tornadoes are forecasted in the mid-Atlantic, most of Pennsylvania and other areas of the northeast this weekend. — Kristin Wright, NPR, 18 July 2026

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