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

Courtesy of Reed Timmer Timmer, who has seen hundreds of tornadoes in his lifetime, says the thrill never gets old. — Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

The two tornadoes started as tornadic waterspouts and were spotted off the coast of Far Rockaway and in Atlantic Beach on Long Island as Thursday’s torrential rain forced officials to close highways across the city. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 21 Aug. 2026

Photos and video shared on social media show debris thrown in the air and pummeling rain as a possible tornado touched down at Atlantic Beach on Long Island's outer barrier. — CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

This summer, the Steel City has seen wildfire smoke from Canada, unusually hot temperatures due to heat domes and severe weather that's brought tornadoes to neighboring counties. — Mariyam Muhammad, USA Today, 21 Aug. 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