cumulus

noun

cu·mu·lus ˈkyü-myə-ləs

plural cumuli ˈkyü-myə-ˌlī

-ˌlē

Synonyms of cumulus next

: heap, accumulation

[New Latin, from Latin] : a dense puffy cloud form having a flat base and rounded outlines often piled up like a mountain see cloud illustration

Example Sentences

the cumulus of sundry things that fill up one's attic and somehow sum up a lifetime of experiences

Recent Examples on the Web Long, parallel bands of cumulus clouds are seen streaming out over the Atlantic. —

Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 31 Dec. 2017 Above me, white cumulus clouds sail the seas of a perfect blue sky. —

Citizen Science Salon, Discover Magazine, 30 Mar. 2015 The Cloudmonster is different: more light, fluffy cumulus than flat, static stratus. —

Cory Smith, Outside Online, 18 Oct. 2022 Puffy cumulus clouds will also anchor themselves over the north and western sky this afternoon as a cold front approaches the city. —

Gerry Díaz, San Francisco Chronicle, 21 Oct. 2022 Plenty of natural factors can lead to a launch delay: nearby lightning, hovering cumulus clouds, the rotation of the planet itself. —

Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 6 Sep. 2022 Through tonight: Bubbly, fair-weather cumulus clouds of the day will diminish with the lack of daytime heating. —

Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2022 The McKinney Fire, which was burning about 9 miles from the Siskiyou County seat of Yreka, as of Saturday mid-afternoon, sent up a massive cumulus cloud and prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency for the county. —

Danielle Echeverria, San Francisco Chronicle, 30 July 2022 The alto cumulus clouds that are streaming across San Diego County will absorb and reflect light in a way that will produce a spectacular sunset at 8 p.m. on Tueday, according to the National Weather Service. —

Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cumulus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.