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

Following the tornado, about 500 McCullough students spent about three weeks at the Gary Area Career Center before returning to McCullough after the gymnasium section was cordoned off. —Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025

The tornado destroyed the structure a few years later. —Ben Finley, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025

More than $100,000 has been raised through a GoFundMe campaign started to support the Chaney family following the tornado. —Abigail Adams, People.com, 16 June 2025

Kehoe on Saturday also signed into law disaster relief for residents affected by recent tornadoes in St. Louis and millions of dollars for construction projects across the state, including nearly $50 million towards a new mental health hospital in Kansas City. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 14 June 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