storm

1 of 2

noun

plural storms
often attributive
1
a
: a disturbance of the atmosphere marked by wind and usually by rain, snow, hail, sleet, or thunder and lightning
b
: a heavy fall of rain, snow, or hail
c(1)
: wind having a speed of 64 to 72 miles (103 to 117 kilometers) per hour
d
: a serious disturbance of any element of nature
2
: a disturbed or agitated state
storms of emotion
: a sudden or violent commotion
3
: a heavy discharge of objects (such as missiles)
4
: a tumultuous outburst
a storm of protests
5
b
: a sudden heavy influx or onset
c
medicine : the sudden and often dangerous onset, increase, or worsening of the symptoms of a disease see also cytokine storm, thyroid storm
6
: a violent assault on a defended position
7
storms plural : storm window

storm

2 of 2

verb

stormed; storming; storms

intransitive verb

1
a
: to blow with violence
b
: to rain, hail, snow, or sleet vigorously
2
: to attack by storm
stormed ashore at zero hour
3
: to be in or to exhibit a violent passion : rage
storming at the unusual delay
4
: to rush about or move impetuously, violently, or angrily
the mob stormed through the streets

transitive verb

: to attack, take, or win over by storm
storm a fort
Phrases
by storm
: by or as if by employing a bold swift frontal movement especially with the intent of defeating or winning over quickly
took the literary world by storm
up a storm
: in a remarkable or energetic fashion
used as an intensifier
dancing up a storm
Choose the Right Synonym for storm

attack, assail, assault, bombard, storm mean to make an onslaught upon.

attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle.

plan to attack the town at dawn

assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots.

assailed the enemy with artillery fire

assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught.

commandos assaulted the building from all sides

bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells.

bombarded the city nightly

storm implies attempting to break into a defended position.

preparing to storm the fortress

Examples of storm in a Sentence

Noun The sky got dark and it looked like a storm was coming. a winter storm bringing about six inches of snow Verb The mob stormed through the streets. She yelled at us and stormed off. He stormed out of the room. She stormed into the office.
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.
Noun
The impact of the first storm since Jan. 3 to bring measurable rain to parts of the region outside the North Bay has been significant in some areas and considerably less in others, according to the weather service. Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2025 This is due to cooler sea surface temperatures near the coast that allow storms like nor’easters to tap into colder air and produce more snow instead of rain. Alexandra Banner, CNN, 4 Feb. 2025
Verb
Trump’s pardons of those who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, emboldens those associated with the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025 The Heat’s fourth quarter run began after an infuriated Spoelstra stormed on the court and called timeout, angry that Jonathan Isaac scored on a put back, even with the Heat playing the 7-0 Ware, the 6-10 Jovic and the 6-9 Adebayo on the court at the same time for the first time all season. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for storm 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German sturm storm, Old English styrian to stir

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of storm was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near storm

Cite this Entry

“Storm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/storm. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

storm

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a disturbance of the atmosphere accompanied by wind and usually by rain, snow, hail, sleet, or thunder and lightning
b
: a heavy fall of rain, snow, or hail
c
: a serious disturbance of any element of nature
2
: a disturbed state : a sudden or violent commotion
3
: a heavy discharge of objects
fired a storm of arrows at the castle
4
: a violent outburst
a storm of protest
5
: a violent attack on a defended position

storm

2 of 2 verb
1
a
: to blow with violence
b
: to rain, hail, snow, or sleet heavily
2
: to attack by storm
stormed ashore
storm the fort
3
: to show violent feeling : rage
storming at the unusual delay
4
: to rush about violently
the mob stormed through the streets

Medical Definition

storm

noun
: the sudden and often dangerous onset, increase, or worsening of the symptoms of a disease see also cytokine storm, thyroid storm

More from Merriam-Webster on storm

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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