tornado

noun

tor·​na·​do tȯr-ˈnā-(ˌ)dō How to pronounce tornado (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Any tornado with slower wind speeds is considered an EF0. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 25 May 2025 Each of those states has seen between 87 and 97 tornadoes so far, AccuWeather reported. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 25 May 2025 There have been spikes in fungal disease following natural disasters, such as the outbreak after the 2011 tornado in Joplin, Missouri. Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 24 May 2025 Patel noted, however, that this tornado in Oklahoma has now become the most memorable one in both of their lives, due to its new significance in their relationship. Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for tornado

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tornado was in 1556

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tornado.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tornado. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

tornado

noun
tor·​na·​do tȯr-ˈnād-ō How to pronounce tornado (audio)
plural tornadoes or tornados
: a violent destructive whirling wind accompanied by a funnel-shaped cloud that moves in a narrow path over the land

More from Merriam-Webster on tornado

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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