twister

noun

twist·​er ˈtwi-stər 

1

: one that twists

especially : a ball with a forward and spinning motion

2

: a tornado, waterspout, or dust devil in which the rotatory ascending movement of a column of air is especially apparent

Examples of twister in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Mother Nature undid a chunk of that work last week when an EF1 tornado descended on the R2 plant amid an onslaught of more than 30 twisters across the state, according to the National Weather Service. —Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026

Multiple tornadoes roared through the central United States Thursday, including a violent EF-4 twister that caused significant damage and multiple injuries in Oklahoma — the start of a dangerous multiday stretch of severe thunderstorms for the region. —Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026

That’s because the day’s forecast originally made no mention of the twister risk. —Matthew Kelly april 22, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026

In Clinton, Missouri, two twisters struck Wednesday night, sending trees crashing onto Andrew Donaldson's roof and garage. —Sarah Lynch Baldwin, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing twister

• tongue twister

Rhymes for twister

• blister
• lyster
• mister
• sister
• resister
• resistor
• stepsister
• transistor

Kids Definition

twister

noun

twist·​er ˈtwis-tər 

1

: one that twists

2

a

: tornado

b

: waterspout sense 2