waterspout

noun

wa·​ter·​spout ˈwȯ-tər-ˌspau̇t 

ˈwä-

1

: a pipe, duct, or orifice from which water is spouted or through which it is carried

2

: a funnel-shaped or tubular column of rotating cloud-filled wind usually extending from the underside of a cumulus or cumulonimbus cloud down to a cloud of spray torn up by the whirling winds from the surface of an ocean or lake

Synonyms

• drainpipe
• eaves trough
• gutter
• rainspout
• spout
• trough

Examples of waterspout in a Sentence

the waterspout became clogged, and then the roof leaked

Recent Examples on the Web

Besides the risk for debris flow, there is a potential for waterspouts over the ocean, as well as damaging winds, and strong thunderstorms, Lund said. —Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025

There is also a chance of small hail, and waterspouts over waters off the California coast. —Chandelis Duster, NPR, 26 Jan. 2025

With those factors added together, there was little to stop the tornado (at that point a waterspout) from becoming a monster. —Matthew Cappucci The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 31 Dec. 2024

Intense waterspouts spin uncontrollably atop the water, threatening to wreck anything in its path. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for waterspout

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout

Kids Definition

waterspout

noun

wa·​ter·​spout ˈwȯt-ər-ˌspau̇t 

ˈwät-

1

: a pipe for carrying off water from a roof

2

: a column of rotating wind extending from a cloud down to a cloud of spray torn up from the surface of a body of water by the winds