Tornado

/tɔː(ɹ)ˈneɪ.dəʊ/ · noun

Meaning

(meteorology) A violent wind in the form of a mobile, rapidly rotating, funnel cloud that has contacted the ground..

Definitions by Sense

1. (meteorology) A violent wind in the form of a mobile, rapidly rotating, funnel cloud that has contacted the ground.
2. (ambitransitive, figuratively) To sweep through something violently.

Example Sentences

An extreme version of vorticity is a vortex. The vortex is a spinning, cyclonic mass of fluid, which can be observed in the rotation of water going down a drain, as well as in smoke rings, tornados and hurricanes.

Some of the same areas hit by tornadoes just a little over a week ago are expecting severe storms again Monday afternoon and evening. […] A multiday severe weather outbreak is possible Monday through Wednesday, increasing the already-above average tornado count even higher.

And so on Friday nights, James Torin tornadoed through six beers, a carton of cigarettes, a coffee table littered with lottery tickets, and unrequited dreams.

They come every night, those cavernous trains, tornadoing the frozen house, a madness feeling for the door.

Synonyms for tornado

Antonyms for tornado

Related Words

Word Forms

• tornadoes
• tornados
• tornadoing
• tornadoed

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions