derecho

noun

de·​re·​cho də-ˈrā-(ˌ)chō 

plural derechos

: a large fast-moving complex of thunderstorms with powerful straight-line winds that cause widespread destruction

Examples of derecho in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The National Weather Service has preliminarily classified overnight storms from the Upper Plains to the Midwest as a derecho. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 30 July 2025

The Storm Prediction Center, part of the weather service, determines whether a storm is officially classified as a derecho. —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 29 July 2025

On Monday, forecasters warned this dangerous line of storms could develop into a rare derecho – a long-lasting line of storms that must produce powerful, damaging wind gusts consistently across a few hundred miles. —Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 28 July 2025

Premiums have been rising since the 2020 derecho, a massive wind storm that destroyed some 8,000 homes and did millions of dollars in damage. —Scott Cohn, CNBC, 11 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, straight (contrasted with tornado, taken to mean "turned"), from Latin directus — more at direct entry 1

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for derecho

• deco
• echo
• gecko

Kids Definition

derecho

noun

de·​re·​cho

də-ˈrā-(ˌ)chō

plural derechos

: a large fast-moving complex of thunderstorms with powerful winds that move in a straight line and that cause widespread destruction

Etymology

from Spanish, "straight" (opposed to tornado, taken to mean "turned" in Spanish)