bombogenesis

noun

bom·​bo·​gen·​e·​sis ˌbäm-(ˌ)bō-ˈje-nə-səs How to pronounce bombogenesis (audio)
ˌbäm-bə-
meteorology
: rapid intensification of a storm caused by a sudden and significant drop in atmospheric pressure : the development or intensification of a bomb cyclone
A cyclone is a low pressure system and a bombogenesis occurs when a storm intensifies, rapidly losing 24 millibars of pressure in 24 hours.David Epstein

Examples of bombogenesis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Bomb cyclone; bombogenesis: the rapid intensification of a cyclone or low-pressure system; the formation of such a rapidly strengthening system. Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2023 What causes bombogenesis? Jennifer Earl, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2022 The storm has been described as a bomb cyclone, which occurs through the process known as bombogenesis — basically a winter hurricane. Christine Fernando, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2022 The storm is expected to form in the Atlantic Ocean just off the coast of Georgia, then rapidly strengthen -- a process known as bombogenesis -- overnight Friday and track up the East Coast Saturday, though specifics on the impact remain unclear. Aya Elamroussi, CNN, 27 Jan. 2022 The term bombogenesis is used when a storm’s pressure decreases at least 24 millibars in as many hours. BostonGlobe.com, 27 Oct. 2021

Word History

Etymology

bomb entry 1 (in bomb cyclone) + -o- + genesis

First Known Use

1989, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bombogenesis was in 1989

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bombogenesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bombogenesis. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!