cyclone

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noun cy·clone \ ˈsī-ˌklōn \

Definition of cyclone

1 a :a storm or system of winds that rotates about a center of low atmospheric pressure, advances at a speed of 20 to 30 miles (about 30 to 50 kilometers) an hour, and often brings heavy rain

b :tornado

c :⁴low 1b

2 :any of various centrifugal devices for separating materials (such as solid particles from gases)

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cyclonic

play \sī-ˈklä-nik\ adjective

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cyclonically

play \sī-ˈklä-ni-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

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Recent Examples of cyclone from the Web

That’s just shy of the all-time U.S. high mark of 52 inches recorded during tropical cyclone Hiki in Hawaii in 1950.

— toluse olorunnipa, Bloomberg.com, "Trump Surveys ‘Epic’ Damage as Texas Braces for Long Recovery," 29 Aug. 2017
Only one previous storm—tropical cyclone Hiki—has dumped more rain in the United States.

— robinson meyer, The Atlantic, "Hurricane Harvey Is the Rainiest Atlantic Hurricane Ever Measured," 29 Aug. 2017
And Trump isn’t at fault for the mere existence of a tropical cyclone.

— talmon joseph smith, GQ, "Hurricane Harvey Is Going to Be Donald Trump's First Big Natural Disaster Test," 25 Aug. 2017
There were 93 tropical cyclones across the globe, 13 percent more than normal.

— seth borenstein, chicagotribune.com, "2016 weather report: Extreme and anything but normal," 10 Aug. 2017
Erd describes it as a literal perfect storm after a massive cyclone hit Madagascar in March.

— jennifer rude klett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Exotic vanilla: Beloved flavoring is anything but plain, but it is pricey," 8 Aug. 2017
In 1989, the Voyager 2 spacecraft observed a Great Dark Spot—a roundish cyclone—that rivaled Jupiter’s Great Red Spot in size and bested it in windspeed.

— National Geographic, "Strange Storm as Wide as Earth Appears on Neptune," 4 Aug. 2017
The cyclone formed in the middle of the bay, meteorologists said, at about 1:30 a.m. The twister came ashore in the Bay City community of Kent Island and moved northeast toward Stevensville.

— talia richman, baltimoresun.com, "Historic tree falls in Kent Island tornado," 25 July 2017
No tropical cyclone formation was expected over the next five days.

— national hurricane center, NOLA.com, "Atlantic depression degenerates into tropical wave: National Hurricane Center," 7 July 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of cyclone

modification of Greek kyklōma wheel, coil, from kykloun to go around, from kyklos circle

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1848

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Cyclone

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trademark Cy·clone \ ˈsī-ˌklōn \

Definition of Cyclone

—used for a chain-link fence

CYCLONE Defined for English Language Learners

cyclone

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noun

Definition of cyclone for English Language Learners

: an extremely large, powerful, and destructive storm with very high winds that turn around an area of low pressure

CYCLONE Defined for Kids

cyclone

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noun cy·clone \ ˈsī-ˌklōn \

Definition of cyclone for Students

1 :a storm or system of winds that rotates about a center of low atmospheric pressure and that moves forward at a speed of 20 to 30 miles (30 to 50 kilometers) an hour and often brings heavy rain

2 :tornado

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See words that rhyme with cyclone Spanish Central: Translation of cyclone Nglish: Translation of cyclone for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cyclone

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cyclone

Definition of cyclone

cyclonic

cyclonically

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Cyclone

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cyclone

Definition of cyclone for English Language Learners

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cyclone

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Definition of cyclone

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cyclonically

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