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 remnants of Hurricane Isaias brought nearly 10 inches of rain to parts of North Carolina on Saturday, creating flash floods, landslides and tornados. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026

With a tornado warning in effect Sunday afternoon, workers had decided to forgo blowing up the oversized lawn ornament. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

The main concern is damaging wind gusts, but the latest outlook also indicates a marginal possibility of a brief tornado, particularly near the Delaware River Valley and Delmarva. — Bill Kelly, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

The weather service said the storm, capable of producing a tornado, was over Pleasant Valley or Claycomo and moving east at 35 mph. — Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 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