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
Since reliable record-keeping for Austin weather began in the late 1890s, the region has experienced February temperatures ranging from 99 degrees in 1996, to below zero degrees in 1899, along with heavy snowfalls, destructive tornadoes and large hail.
—
Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 7 Feb. 2026
Beyond Wisconsin, Clark has traveled across the country delivering treats to first responders in other states and, in 2020, worked to fill a semi-truck with tornado relief supplies for Nashville, Tennessee.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Indiana also has seen a rise in tornadoes in the last few years, with more than 50 each of the past three years.
—David Yeomans, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
The almanac also expects the area to experience severe weather once tornado season begins in late spring.
—Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tornado
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Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 7 Feb. 2026
Beyond Wisconsin, Clark has traveled across the country delivering treats to first responders in other states and, in 2020, worked to fill a semi-truck with tornado relief supplies for Nashville, Tennessee.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Indiana also has seen a rise in tornadoes in the last few years, with more than 50 each of the past three years.
—David Yeomans, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
The almanac also expects the area to experience severe weather once tornado season begins in late spring.
—Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tornado
Cite this Entry
“Tornado.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tornado. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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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