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 weather service confirmed three tornadoes on Monday night. —Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY, 17 July 2024

Doppler radar detected debris lofted by the tornadoes, which appeared as blue splotches on weather maps. —Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 16 July 2024

Related Articles Today in History: July 17, Disneyland’s opening day Power restored at overcrowded Vacaville men’s prison Midwest cleans up after rain, tornadoes pound the region Who is Ingrid Andress? —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 16 July 2024

The weather service said damaging winds are the main threat, but a brief tornado can’t be ruled out. —Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2024

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

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