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 rare alert was first used to warn of tornado conditions. — CBS News, 27 June 2026

Storms here could produce damaging winds, large hail and a few tornadoes. — Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 27 June 2026

In this area, storms are expected to form along a developing low-pressure system and quickly become strong, with the potential for large hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoes. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 26 June 2026

The rare alert was first used to warn of tornado conditions. — Kathy McCormack, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 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