tempest

1 of 2

noun

tem·​pest ˈtem-pəst 

1

: a violent storm

2

: tumult, uproar

tempest

2 of 2

verb

tempested; tempesting; tempests

transitive verb

: to raise a tempest in or around

Synonyms

Noun

• squall
• storm

Examples of tempest in a Sentence

Noun

the sudden summertime tempest drove us off the golf course and into the clubhouse

the town council handled the tempest over cuts to the school budget as well as could be expected

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Even Fox News, known for finding even the tiniest silver lining in any Trump tempest, offered little relief to the president’s MAGA supporters in light of recent polls. —Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2025

He’s stepped into a tempest of a football club that has become known more for its ability to generate off-field drama rather than top footballing performances. —Carl Anka, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024

Their trading desks bustle as clients navigate the next tariff tempest. —Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

Anti-Diversity Policies: The U.S. State Department is seeking to quell a diplomatic tempest roiling Europe after several American Embassies sent letters to foreign contractors instructing them to certify their compliance with Trump’s policies aimed at unraveling diversity programs. —Victoria Kim, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English tempeste, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Vulgar Latin *tempesta, replacing Latin tempestāt-, tempestās "stretch of time, period, season, weather, stormy weather," from tempes-, base of tempor-, tempus (alternative stem temper-) "time, period of time, season" + -tāt-, -tās, noun suffix — more at tempo

Note: The proto-Romance form *tempesta is probably a nominal derivative from the feminine of an adjective tempestus, cited by the Roman grammarian Sextus Pompeius Festus as an old variant of tempestīvus "in season, occurring at the proper time."

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tempest

• a tempest in a teapot
• tempest in a teapot

Kids Definition

tempest

noun

tem·​pest

ˈtem-pəst

1

: a violent wind

especially : one accompanied by rain, hail, or snow

2

: a violent commotion : uproar