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
The National Weather Service reported a weak tornado touched down near Omar, Delaware, on Monday afternoon, damaging only a small patch of trees.
—
Doc Louallen, ABC News, 1 July 2025
At other times, conditions may be less than perfect, and a tornado will suddenly appear.
—Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Storm storms with a marginal risk of winds up to 60 mph and hail up to the size of a quarter, and even a brief tornado are possible along with lightning and heavy rainfall warned the NWS.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2025
The same weather system spawned tornadoes that were blamed for three deaths in eastern North Dakota.
Both Bemidji and Beltrami County have announced separate emergency declarations that were each extended during separate meetings Monday.
—Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tornado
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Doc Louallen, ABC News, 1 July 2025
At other times, conditions may be less than perfect, and a tornado will suddenly appear.
—Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Storm storms with a marginal risk of winds up to 60 mph and hail up to the size of a quarter, and even a brief tornado are possible along with lightning and heavy rainfall warned the NWS.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2025
The same weather system spawned tornadoes that were blamed for three deaths in eastern North Dakota.
Both Bemidji and Beltrami County have announced separate emergency declarations that were each extended during separate meetings Monday.
—Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tornado
Cite this Entry
“Tornado.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tornado. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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