cumulus

noun

cu·mu·lus | \ ˈkyü-myə-ləs

plural cumuli\ ˈkyü-myə-ˌlī

, -ˌlē \

Definition of cumulus

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

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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

Low clouds fall into four divisions: cumulus, stratus, cumulonimbus, and stratocumulus. — Catherine Zuckerman, National Geographic, "Clouds, explained," 24 Apr. 2019 The throttle response algorithm is relaxed, the air suspension set to cumulus. — Dan Neil, WSJ, "2018 Porsche Panamera: Fast, Furious and, Yes, a Station Wagon," 19 Dec. 2018 Thunderstorms are likely during the afternoon and evening hours over Cape Canaveral, and while these should clear before the launch window opens, lingering cumulus and thick clouds may imperil the attempt. — Eric Berger, Ars Technica, "SpaceX launches heavy telecom satellite, sticks high-seas landing," 10 Sep. 2018 The movement of cloud silhouettes scudding across the floor of a distant valley tracks the cumulus shapes racing across the dome of sky. — Guy Trebay, Condé Nast Traveler, "In the Heart of Navajo Lands," 19 Oct. 2018 The other is a sinuous sheath of silk crepe topped with a huge cumulus whorl or wreath of ruched silk gazar. — Laura Jacobs, WSJ, "‘Balenciaga in Black’ Review: Fashion Goes to the Dark Side," 9 Oct. 2018 The alto cirrus indicate a change in weather, the mare’s tail mean high-altitude winds, the cumulus means building moisture. — Tom Stienstra, San Francisco Chronicle, "Nature’s fortune-tellers predicted wild weather for Memorial Day weekend," 28 May 2018 At sunset, a mix of alto cirrus with mare�s tails and cumulus provide a backdrop to pristine Forester Lake at 10, 240 feet, nestled in the Great Western Divide. — Tom Stienstra, San Francisco Chronicle, "Nature’s fortune-tellers predicted wild weather for Memorial Day weekend," 28 May 2018 The air then lifts straight up, mixes with the moist layer, and creates the towering cumulus. — Tom Stienstra, San Francisco Chronicle, "Mountain thunder, lightning mean summer has arrived," 21 May 2018

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.