tornado

noun

tor·​na·​do tȯr-ˈnā-(ˌ)dō 

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

In these areas numerous severe thunderstorms could occur, potentially bringing very large hail, strong tornadoes, and destructive winds. —Max Golembo, ABC News, 29 Mar. 2025

Last year saw a huge uptick in tornadoes later in the spring and activity continued through December, with nearly 2,000 tornado reports in total. —Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025

Andy Beshear’s only national media appearances usually came in response to pleas for federal aid after tornadoes, floods, and other natural disasters hit Kentucky. —David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025

Monster storm heading east this weekend to spew tornadoes, hail and snow On Saturday, strong storms will impact a zone from Texas to Nebraska, Arkansas and Iowa. —Christopher Cann, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for tornado

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

Kids Definition

tornado

noun

tor·​na·​do tȯr-ˈnād-ō 

plural tornadoes or tornados

: a violent destructive whirling wind accompanied by a funnel-shaped cloud that moves in a narrow path over the land