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

As the potential for flood risks sweep across the region, there is an increasing risk of a couple tornadoes Wednesday in central and northern Kansas and adjacent southern/southeast Nebraska. — Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026

Nolo could also spawn tornadoes and large waterspouts over and near the Big Island and to the right of the track of the tropical cyclone. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 26 Sep. 2026

Heat is the deadliest natural disaster event — a silent killer that claims more lives each year than hurricanes, tornadoes and floods combined. — Maria Hadden, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

When a tornado swept through Baraboo, WI, Vera’s daughter Renee remembers her grandmother helping every bride who was affected by the storm recreate their wedding day vision. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2026

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