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

Catastrophic rain, storms and tornadoes ripped across the U.S. last week. —Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 9 Apr. 2025

During his career, Marciano has covered nearly every major natural disaster experienced in the United States, including floods, tornadoes, blizzards, and erupting volcanos in Hawaii. —Rob Marciano, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025

In recent years, Oklahoma has seen the risk of tornadoes, hail, and severe winds grow, and insurers are taking notice. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025

However, this model has been disrupted by natural events (e.g. floods, storms and tornadoes) and private equity unregulated and seemingly limitless funding of liability lawsuits. —John A. Crotty, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 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