tornado

noun

tor·​na·​do tȯr-ˈnā-(ˌ)dō 

plural tornadoes or tornados

1

a

: a violent destructive whirling wind accompanied by a funnel-shaped cloud that progresses in a narrow path over the land

b

: a squall accompanying a thunderstorm in Africa

2

: a violent windstorm : whirlwind

3

archaic : a tropical thunderstorm

Examples of tornado in a Sentence

in the path of a tornado

Recent Examples on the Web

The tour explores the history of the block, which includes major fires and a deadly tornado in the 1800s. —Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025

The organization focuses on the big disasters that often grip the headlines, such as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes – but also offers information about preparing for winter storms, tsunamis, tornados, lightning, hail and extreme heat. —Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025

Destruction Decoded explores the extent, impact and causes of mega floods, earthquakes, tornadoes and industrial accidents, while Fatal Engineering focuses on high-profile structural accidents and the science behind the disasters. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025

And in 2024, two tornadoes hit Wisconsin in February, the first time the weather phenomenon occurred in that month in state history. —Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 28 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

modification of Spanish tronada thunderstorm, from tronar to thunder, from Latin tonare — more at thunder entry 1

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for tornado

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

Kids Definition

tornado

noun

tor·​na·​do tȯr-ˈnād-ō 

plural tornadoes or tornados

: a violent destructive whirling wind accompanied by a funnel-shaped cloud that moves in a narrow path over the land