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

After a bout of severe weather and tornadoes crossed Oklahoma on Thursday, the Sooner State will likely see more cold and precipitation into the week ahead. —Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 9 Jan. 2026

The weather service's Storm Prediction Center has placed Austin and areas east toward the Texas coast under a level 1 out of 5 risk for isolated severe thunderstorms that could include hail, damaging winds or even a tornado. —Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026

Severe weather—from a derecho that hit the Northeast in April to a string of tornado outbreaks in the spring and summer—made up 91% of the billion-dollar disasters. —Simmone Shah, Time, 8 Jan. 2026

Severe weather events, including severe thunderstorms and tornado outbreaks, accounted for 91% of all billion-dollar disasters last year, the analysis showed. —Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 8 Jan. 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