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

Through the end of the week, the same southern states will be at risk of severe thunderstorms, large hail and tornadoes as a line of showers barrels across the region. —Christopher Cann, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025

There’s the suitcase that remained intact after a plane crash, and another that came through a tornado. —Elisa Wouk Almino, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025

Ways to protect yourself during a tornado To ensure your safety during a tornado, remember that acting promptly is crucial, according to the NWS. —Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025

Testing should just be a blip on the radar—not an annual tornado. —Mark C. Perna, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 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