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

This means conditions are ripe for tornadoes to form. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 17 May 2025

On Thursday evening, the National Weather Service announced a tornado watch for the entire Chicago area and northwest Indiana until 10 p.m. —Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025

By Friday, the risk for long-track tornadoes intensifies across parts of the Mississippi and Tennessee valleys. —Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025

Deep in tornado alley, Lu Dort brought the Thunder to Denver’s season. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 13 May 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