cumulus

noun

cu·​mu·​lus ˈkyü-myə-ləs 

plural cumuli ˈkyü-myə-ˌlī 

-ˌlē

1

: heap, accumulation

2

[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

Synonyms

• accretion
• accumulation
• assemblage
• collection
• cumulation
• gathering
• lodgment
• lodgement
• pileup

Examples of cumulus in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

The satellite will service TV markets in Germany, Spain and France. Space Launch Delta 45’s weather squadron forecasts only a 55% chance for good conditions with liftoff winds and the presence of cumulus clouds a concern. —Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2024

High winds and cumulus clouds are the primary concerns. —Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 27 Mar. 2024

Notice how the cumulus clouds diminish during the #eclipse and take almost an hour after totality to redevelop! —Mary Gilbert, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024

Clouds, particularly shallow cumulus clouds, tend to vanish during a solar eclipse. —Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1659, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

cumulus

noun

cu·​mu·​lus ˈkyü-myə-ləs 

plural cumuli -ˌlī 

-ˌlē

: a dense puffy cloud form having a flat base and rounded outlines often piled up like a mountain

Medical Definition

cumulus

noun

cu·​mu·​lus ˈkyü-myə-ləs 

plural cumuli -ˌlī, -ˌlē 

: the projecting mass of granulosa cells that bears the developing ovum in a graafian follicle

called also discus proligerus