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
The security laminate not only protects the entrances against an active shooter, but can help in natural disasters such as tornados as well, Caparelli-Ruff said.
—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
5 July 2026
The tornado struck about 100 yards from the previous -- hitting a total of 84 planes, 35 of which were destroyed.
—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
4 July 2026
Forecasters are also tracking severe thunderstorms across parts of the Midwest, Northeast and mid-Atlantic that could bring damaging winds, isolated tornadoes and flash flooding, potentially affecting holiday travel and evening fireworks displays.
—
Erin McGarry,
NBC news,
3 July 2026
Through July 4, there is also a risk of hail, lightning, severe thunderstorm wind gusts and tornadoes in the Northeast and northern Mid-Atlantic westward to the Plains region.
—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for tornado
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Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
5 July 2026
The tornado struck about 100 yards from the previous -- hitting a total of 84 planes, 35 of which were destroyed.
—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
4 July 2026
Forecasters are also tracking severe thunderstorms across parts of the Midwest, Northeast and mid-Atlantic that could bring damaging winds, isolated tornadoes and flash flooding, potentially affecting holiday travel and evening fireworks displays.
—
Erin McGarry,
NBC news,
3 July 2026
Through July 4, there is also a risk of hail, lightning, severe thunderstorm wind gusts and tornadoes in the Northeast and northern Mid-Atlantic westward to the Plains region.
—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
3 July 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 7 Jul. 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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