tempest

1 of 2

noun

tem·​pest ˈtem-pəst 

1

: a violent storm

2

: tumult, uproar

tempest

2 of 2

verb

tempested; tempesting; tempests

transitive verb

: to raise a tempest in or around

Synonyms

Noun

• storm
• squall

Examples of tempest in a Sentence

Noun

the sudden summertime tempest drove us off the golf course and into the clubhouse

the town council handled the tempest over cuts to the school budget as well as could be expected

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The tempest over the logo began last week, when the company announced plans for a simplified design featuring only the company’s name. —Dee-Ann Durbin, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025

Joking aside, this week’s teapot tempest prompts a serious question: how did an anonymous social media influencer gain the trust of 144,000 followers, and dupe a reputable newspaper to beleive they were doxed. —Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025

But instead of clouds and rain, these electromagnetic tempests are made of plasma, charged particles whipped into motion by Earth's magnetic field. —Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2025

People caught in the tempest discovered the limits of human control. —Ethan Wolin updated July 4, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English tempeste, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Vulgar Latin *tempesta, replacing Latin tempestāt-, tempestās "stretch of time, period, season, weather, stormy weather," from tempes-, base of tempor-, tempus (alternative stem temper-) "time, period of time, season" + -tāt-, -tās, noun suffix — more at tempo

Note: The proto-Romance form *tempesta is probably a nominal derivative from the feminine of an adjective tempestus, cited by the Roman grammarian Sextus Pompeius Festus as an old variant of tempestīvus "in season, occurring at the proper time."

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tempest

• a tempest in a teapot
• tempest in a teapot

Kids Definition

tempest

noun

tem·​pest

ˈtem-pəst

1

: a violent wind

especially : one accompanied by rain, hail, or snow

2

: a violent commotion : uproar