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

The weather service's storm survey found the twister uprooted or snapped numerous large trees and damaged structures and power poles. — Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2026

In addition to the derecho, there were also tornadoes, including a 26-mile-long EF2 twister that touched down in Illinois and went into Indiana, according to the National Weather Service. — Phil Helsel, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026

So why did a twister touch down on Thursday in Nassau County on Long Island, along with a second one possibly hitting the Rockaways in Queens? — Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 21 Aug. 2026

In Texas, a second once-in-a-thousand-year flood in 12 months; in Indiana, outside Tornado Alley, a record 77 twisters; and there through it all, the heat. — Jonathan Vigliotti, CBS News, 16 Aug. 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