cyclone

1 of 2

noun

cy·​clone ˈsī-ˌklōn 

1

a

: a storm or system of winds that rotates about a center of low atmospheric pressure, advances at a speed of 20 to 30 miles (about 30 to 50 kilometers) an hour, and often brings heavy rain

b

: tornado

c

: low entry 2 sense 1b

2

: any of various centrifugal devices for separating materials (such as solid particles from gases)

cyclonic

sī-ˈklä-nik 

adjective

cyclonically

sī-ˈklä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Cyclone

2 of 2

trademark

Cy·​clone ˈsī-ˌklōn 

—used for a chain-link fence

Examples of cyclone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Tropical Storm Lala, a cyclone headed for the Big Island of Hawaii, is expected to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane early on Saturday morning. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026

Typhoon Dolphin, the most powerful cyclone to hit China this year, made landfall in the eastern coastal province of Zhejiang on Sunday, with more than one million people evacuated. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026

Nearly all the power that does exist comes from hydropower dams concentrated in the cyclone-prone south, hundreds of miles from demand in the capital. — Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

The rain starts up again, paired with some nasty-looking cyclones. — William Earl, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

modification of Greek kyklōma wheel, coil, from kykloun to go around, from kyklos circle

First Known Use

Noun

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing cyclone

• bomb cyclone
• cyclone cellar
• extratropical cyclone
• tropical cyclone

Rhymes for cyclone

• alone
• atone
• backbone
• bemoan
• bluestone
• breastbone
• brownstone
• capstone
• cheekbone
• condone
• curbstone
• dethrone

Kids Definition

cyclone

noun

cy·​clone ˈsī-ˌklōn 

1

: a storm or system of winds that rotates about a center of low atmospheric pressure, advances at a speed of 20 to 30 miles (30 to 50 kilometers) an hour, and often brings a great deal of rain

2

: tornado

cyclonic

sī-ˈklän-ik 

adjective