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

Damaging winds are the primary threat, but marginally severe hail and a brief tornado might be possible. —Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 6 June 2025

As intense rain swept through, the weather service issued a tornado warning and urged residents to seek shelter. —Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025

Another video showed heavy rain and winds blowing through Kauffman Stadium, home of the Royals, as tornado sirens blared. —Patrick Smith, NBC news, 4 June 2025

After a tornado, the National Weather Service conducts an on-site damage survey, examining its track and destruction. —William Baule, The Conversation, 4 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