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

In Oklahoma, a tornado Sunday forced Cimarron County officials to change one of its polling locations. — Adela Suliman, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2026

Damaging winds are the primary threat, but a few tornadoes are also possible. — Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026

The main threats will be damaging winds and hail with a low threat for tornadoes and localized flooding from heavy rainfall, according to the NWS. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Nov. 2026

Damaging wind gusts will be the primary severe weather threat, although brief spin-up tornadoes remain possible within portions of the line. — CBS News, 2 Nov. 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