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

While the severe weather season usually ends in late August, tornadoes can still occur into the fall. —Nour Rahal, Freep.com, 12 Aug. 2025

In the end, it's revealed that Brett was not dead, but had driven home to avoid the tornado. —Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Very seriously, our city leadership has almost no interest in saving our tiny arts district, which was decimated by tornados last year. —Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025

Hurricane categories only rate wind speed and don’t address risks such as rapid intensification, storm surge, tornadoes and the travel speed of the storm. —Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 2 Aug. 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