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 sirens will wail, much like tornado or civil defense sirens, with a range of up to a mile and a half depending on terrain and leaf-cover, Grasty said. —Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 18 Sep. 2025

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for several counties on the far Eastern Plains of Colorado — a notice that includes the potential for tornadoes. —John Aguilar, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025

Along with heavy showers and thunderstorms, other hazards supported by this system will be possible hail, strong wind gust, and risk for low-probability tornados through Wednesday. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025

The remnants of Tropical Storm Mario are expected to bring rain, thunderstorms, muggy weather and maybe even small tornadoes. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 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