cumulonimbus

noun

cu·​mu·​lo·​nim·​bus ˈkyü-myə-(ˌ)lō-ˈnim-bəs 

: cumulus cloud having a low base and often spread out in the shape of an anvil extending to great heights see cloud illustration

Examples of cumulonimbus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These are bands of low clouds associated with supercell storm clouds, typically cumulonimbus. —Noel Kirkpatrick, Treehugger, 7 Aug. 2025

However, if the air is particularly warm and humid, and the atmosphere above is much colder, cumulus clouds can rapidly grow vertically into cumulonimbus. —Ross Lazear, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2025

The visible presence of smaller cumulus clouds near its base indicates the initial stages of potential cumulonimbus development, which could bring intense precipitation or thunderstorms. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024

Lightning flashed around her as she was tossed about inside the enormous, pitch-black cumulonimbus cloud that had swallowed her. —Ewa Wiśnierska, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cumulonimbus

• limbus
• nimbus

Kids Definition

cumulonimbus

noun

cu·​mu·​lo·​nim·​bus ˌkyü-myə-lō-ˈnim-bəs 

: a cumulus cloud that has a low base and that is often spread out in the shape of an anvil extending to great heights