cumulonimbus

noun

cu·​mu·​lo·​nim·​bus ˈkyü-myə-(ˌ)lō-ˈnim-bəs How to pronounce cumulonimbus (audio)
: cumulus cloud having a low base and often spread out in the shape of an anvil extending to great heights see cloud illustration

Examples of cumulonimbus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lightning flashed around her as she was tossed about inside the enormous, pitch-black cumulonimbus cloud that had swallowed her. — Ewa Wiśnierska, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2024 The phenomenon can be caused by pockets of hot air rising, or weather systems such as cumulonimbus clouds. — TIME, 21 May 2024 How hail forms Hail forms inside cumulonimbus clouds, which also produce thunder and lightning. — Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 16 June 2024 With the constant uplift from below, the cumulonimbus cloud can be a violent place, with all those particles bumping into each other. — Siddhant Pusdekar, Journal Sentinel, 16 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for cumulonimbus

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cumulonimbus was in 1887

Rhymes for cumulonimbus

See All Rhymes for cumulonimbus

Browse Nearby Words

cumulocirrus
cumulonimbus
cumulose
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cumulonimbus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cumulonimbus. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cumulonimbus

noun
cu·​mu·​lo·​nim·​bus ˌkyü-myə-lō-ˈnim-bəs How to pronounce cumulonimbus (audio)
: a cumulus cloud that has a low base and that is often spread out in the shape of an anvil extending to great heights

More from Merriam-Webster on cumulonimbus

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cumulonimbus

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