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

According to the federal agency, at least three tornadoes touched down during severe storms in Michigan last month. —Nick Lentz, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026

Radars indicated tornado-like rotation and ping-pong ball-sized hail. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2026

The program would offer grants of up to $10,000 to allow homeowners to retrofit their property to better protect them from hurricane, tornado, hail and other windstorm damage. —Alex Rozier, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026

Severe storms are expected to develop Friday, April 3, across the Southern Plains and Midwest, bringing large hail, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes. —Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 3 Apr. 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