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
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott is urging residents to be prepared for severe weather that could bring tornado threats through Maryland on Monday.
—
Adam Thompson, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Multiple threats from severe storms on Monday, including damaging wind gusts and tornadoes, from a powerful cold front.
—Molly Robey, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2026
The intense storm system may result in severe thunderstorms across Maryland as well as Virginia and the District of Columbia, with the possibility of harsh wind gusts, hail and tornadoes.
—John Romero, Baltimore Sun, 15 Mar. 2026
Five tornadoes ripped through parts of three Eastern North Carolina counties on Thursday, March 12, injuring a person in a home, tearing roofs, slicing trees and overturning campers, the National Weather Service reported late Friday.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tornado
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Adam Thompson, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Multiple threats from severe storms on Monday, including damaging wind gusts and tornadoes, from a powerful cold front.
—Molly Robey, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2026
The intense storm system may result in severe thunderstorms across Maryland as well as Virginia and the District of Columbia, with the possibility of harsh wind gusts, hail and tornadoes.
—John Romero, Baltimore Sun, 15 Mar. 2026
Five tornadoes ripped through parts of three Eastern North Carolina counties on Thursday, March 12, injuring a person in a home, tearing roofs, slicing trees and overturning campers, the National Weather Service reported late Friday.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 14 Mar. 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 18 Mar. 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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