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

In addition to his on-air work, Rowlands has visited area schools to share tornado safety information with students. — Kansas City Star, 13 Nov. 2026

Meet our award-winning meteorologist who’s reported on high-impact events such as tornadoes, blizzards, drought and, of course, the Super El Niño coming for California. — The Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2026

The average number of November tornadoes across the tri-state area is zero. — Grant Gilmore, CBS News, 12 Nov. 2026

But El Niño is also expected to bring more rain to Florida this winter, as well as increase the risk for tornadoes. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 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