cyclone

1 of 2

noun

cy·​clone ˈsī-ˌklōn 

1

a

: a storm or system of winds that rotates about a center of low atmospheric pressure, advances at a speed of 20 to 30 miles (about 30 to 50 kilometers) an hour, and often brings heavy rain

b

: tornado

c

: low entry 2 sense 1b

2

: any of various centrifugal devices for separating materials (such as solid particles from gases)

cyclonic

sī-ˈklä-nik 

adjective

cyclonically

sī-ˈklä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Cyclone

2 of 2

trademark

Cy·​clone ˈsī-ˌklōn 

—used for a chain-link fence

Examples of cyclone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

His visit – made several days after the cyclone first struck the territory – also came amid ongoing political turmoil in France. —Catherine Nicholls, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024

Shacks and buildings were left completely destroyed when the cyclone struck the nation hampered by poverty. —Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024

Only recently - unprecedented torrential rainfall from Brazil to Kenya, a cyclone in Bangladesh, hurricanes in the Caribbean and severe drought in Afghanistan. —Maeve Campbell, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

The animation below, from NOAA’s GOES-West satellite, shows the formation of the cyclone and its movement up the coast. —Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

modification of Greek kyklōma wheel, coil, from kykloun to go around, from kyklos circle

First Known Use

Noun

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing cyclone

• bomb cyclone
• cyclone cellar
• extratropical cyclone
• tropical cyclone

Kids Definition

cyclone

noun

cy·​clone ˈsī-ˌklōn 

1

: a storm or system of winds that rotates about a center of low atmospheric pressure, advances at a speed of 20 to 30 miles (30 to 50 kilometers) an hour, and often brings a great deal of rain

2

: tornado

cyclonic

sī-ˈklän-ik 

adjective