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
See All Example Sentences for cumulonimbus
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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
See All Example Sentences for cumulonimbus
Cite this Entry
“Cumulonimbus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cumulonimbus. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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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
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