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

The damage comes only a year after intense October 2025 flooding, driven by the remnants of Pacific cyclones. — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 4 Nov. 2026

The storm formed over the Bay of Bengal, where the warm waters have spawned some of the deadliest cyclones to hit eastern India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. — ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026

Businesses also need continuity plans that consider several failures occurring together, such as a cyclone followed by power cuts and transport disruption. — Sibi Arasu, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

This could be the region’s strongest cyclone since Hudhud in 2014. — Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 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