: a scale in which the force of the wind is indicated by numbers from 0 to 12
Examples of Beaufort scale in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The winds blew in from the southeast at seven knots, considered a gentle breeze on the Beaufort scale.
—
Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 30 Sep. 2025
At 55-63 mph, according to the Beaufort scale, whole gale force winds can cause considerable structural damage, especially on roofs.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 2 Apr. 2025
The match must take place on a midweek evening,
2) the temperature must be below 10C (50F)
3) wind speeds or gusts must exceed 13 miles per hour (20kmh) — the entry point for a moderate breeze according to the Beaufort scale.
—Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Despite a weather forecast of isolated thunderstorms, the wind became violent, rising to a force 12 on the Beaufort scale: hurricane strength.
—airmail.news, 19 Aug. 2024
On the Beaufort scale, long used to categorize wind strength, a 32 mph wind reaches near-gale force.
—Martin Weil, Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2024
The Beaufort scale is still used today to estimate wind strengths.
—Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2023
The wind speed is 0.5 meters per second which is considered to be light air on the Beaufort scale.
—USA Today, 17 Mar. 2021
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Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 30 Sep. 2025
At 55-63 mph, according to the Beaufort scale, whole gale force winds can cause considerable structural damage, especially on roofs.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 2 Apr. 2025
The match must take place on a midweek evening,
2) the temperature must be below 10C (50F)
3) wind speeds or gusts must exceed 13 miles per hour (20kmh) — the entry point for a moderate breeze according to the Beaufort scale.
—Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Despite a weather forecast of isolated thunderstorms, the wind became violent, rising to a force 12 on the Beaufort scale: hurricane strength.
—airmail.news, 19 Aug. 2024
On the Beaufort scale, long used to categorize wind strength, a 32 mph wind reaches near-gale force.
—Martin Weil, Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2024
The Beaufort scale is still used today to estimate wind strengths.
—Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2023
The wind speed is 0.5 meters per second which is considered to be light air on the Beaufort scale.
—USA Today, 17 Mar. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Beaufort scale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Beaufort%20scale. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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Beaufort scale
noun
Beau·fort scale
ˌbō-fərt- 
: a scale in which the force of the wind is indicated by numbers from 0 to 12
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