Definition of tornado
tornadoes
ortornados
1a : a violent destructive whirling wind accompanied by a funnel-shaped cloud that progresses in a narrow path over the landb : a squall accompanying a thunderstorm in Africa
2 : a violent windstorm : whirlwind
3 archaic : a tropical thunderstorm
Explore M-W
Examples of tornado in a Sentence
in the path of a tornado
Recent Examples of tornado from the Web
-
So if there were a flood, tornado, snowstorm or other natural disaster that left an area unmarked or cleared of housing, that mapping could be used to compare how the area looked before and after the event.
-
More extreme storms, including hurricanes, blizzards and tornadoes, can injure people, as well.
-
A tornado warning issued Tuesday afternoon (May 30) for Lafourche and central Jefferson parishes has since been lifted, according to the National Weather Service.
-
The National Weather Service planned to send a survey team to Sampson County on Tuesday to determine if the damage came from a tornado or straight-line winds.
-
Widespread winds up to 80 mph are possible, as are large hail and tornadoes.
-
A tornado watch was in effect for more than a dozen northeastern Illinois counties until 8 p.m. Friday.
-
Though Finstad said there wasn't much talk in her family about the tornado, its impact was long lasting.
-
Last year, warm temperatures lingered through January and February, leading into mild and wet spring and a summer that produced two record-breaking tornado outbreaks.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tornado'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of tornado
modification of Spanish tronada thunderstorm, from tronar to thunder, from Latin tonare — more at 1thunder
First Known Use: 1556
TORNADO Defined for English Language Learners
tornado
playDefinition of tornado for English Language Learners
-
: a violent and destructive storm in which powerful winds move around a central point
TORNADO Defined for Kids
tornado
playDefinition of tornado for Students
tornadoes
ortornados
: a violent whirling wind accompanied by a cloud that is shaped like a funnel and moves overland in a narrow path
Learn More about tornado
-
See words that rhyme with tornado Spanish Central: Translation of tornado Nglish: Translation of tornado for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of tornado for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tornado
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up tornado? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!