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TORNADO Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

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.
The tornado storyline at the end of Season 2 also gave Miyahara one of his most elaborate plots. Greg Evans, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2025 She's written about hurricanes, tornadoes and violent weather for more than 30 years. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025 The denials come about a week after President Donald Trumpov approved public assistance for 64 counties affected by the April flooding and an additional 36 counties affected by severe storms and tornadoes in May. Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 July 2025 Over the weekend, a cluster of severe storms and tornadoes moved through the region, resulting in numerous wind and hail reports across eastern South Dakota, southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 28 July 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 16 Aug. 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

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