cumulus

noun

cu·​mu·​lus ˈkyü-myə-ləs 

plural cumuli ˈkyü-myə-ˌlī 

-ˌlē

1

: heap, accumulation

2

[New Latin, from Latin] : a dense puffy cloud form having a flat base and rounded outlines often piled up like a mountain see cloud illustration

Synonyms

• accretion
• accumulation
• assemblage
• collection
• cumulation
• gathering
• lodgment
• lodgement
• pileup

Examples of cumulus in a Sentence

the cumulus of sundry things that fill up one's attic and somehow sum up a lifetime of experiences

Recent Examples on the Web

The visible presence of smaller cumulus clouds near its base indicates the initial stages of potential cumulonimbus development, which could bring intense precipitation or thunderstorms. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024

According to a recent study published in the journal Nature Communications Earth & Environment, researchers found that shallow cumulus clouds will dissipate when only a portion of the sun is obscured during the solar eclipse and won't reappear until after the event. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 3 Apr. 2024

Such complexity is far beyond fourth grade lessons about cumulus clouds or cold fronts. —Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024

The start of the race was a magnificent spectacle—a river of bodies, many wearing flags, channeled through a prim and floral Alpine city with blue and cumulus skies above and towering snowy peaks all around while bass Vangelis music pumped across the main square. —Tom Mullen, Forbes, 8 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1659, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cumulus

• tumulus

Kids Definition

cumulus

noun

cu·​mu·​lus ˈkyü-myə-ləs 

plural cumuli -ˌlī 

-ˌlē

: a dense puffy cloud form having a flat base and rounded outlines often piled up like a mountain

Medical Definition

cumulus

noun

cu·​mu·​lus ˈkyü-myə-ləs 

plural cumuli -ˌlī, -ˌlē 

: the projecting mass of granulosa cells that bears the developing ovum in a graafian follicle

called also discus proligerus