Tornado: meaning, definitions and examples

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tornado

[tɔːˈneɪdəʊ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

natural disaster

A tornado is a rapidly rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the Earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud.

Synonyms

cyclone, twister, whirlwind.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tornado	Mostly used in North America to describe a violent rotating column of air that touches both the ground and a cloud. A tornado tore through the town last night, causing immense damage
twister	A colloquial term commonly used in the United States for tornadoes. It has an informal tone compared to 'tornado'. Locals are preparing for the twister expected to hit tomorrow
cyclone	Typically used in meteorological contexts and often refers to large-scale systems of wind circulating around a center of low atmospheric pressure. Commonly associated with storms in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific. The cyclone brought heavy rains and strong winds to the coastal regions
whirlwind	Describes both small, rapidly rotating air movements that are less intense than tornadoes and can be used metaphorically to describe a situation that happens very quickly and is full of activity. The weekend was a whirlwind of events and activities

Examples of usage

Tornadoes can cause significant damage to buildings and vehicles.
Residents were advised to seek shelter in basements during the tornado warning.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

meteorology

In meteorology, a tornado is a violently rotating column of air that is in contact with the ground and a cumulonimbus cloud.

Synonyms

funnel cloud, vortex, whirlwind.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tornado	This entry is a duplicate. Please refer to the first entry for 'tornado'.
vortex	A more scientific or technical term that can refer to any rotating motion in fluids, not just air. Often used in physics, engineering, and specific scientific discussions. The water in the bathtub formed a small vortex as it drained. Scientists studied the vortex patterns in the atmosphere.
funnel cloud	Specifically refers to a rotating funnel-shaped cloud that extends from a storm cloud but does not touch the ground. It's usually used in contexts where the phenomenon is observed but hasn't yet developed into a full tornado. We spotted a funnel cloud forming in the distance. A funnel cloud is an indicator that a tornado may form.
whirlwind	Describes a small rotating column of air or a fast-moving and chaotic situation or activity. It can be used literally or metaphorically. In a literal sense, it refers to smaller-scale twisters. Metaphorically, it describes hectic scenarios. The news caused a whirlwind of emotions. A whirlwind of dust passed over the field.

Examples of usage

The Doppler radar detected a tornado forming in the area.
Tornadoes are often associated with severe thunderstorms.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Spanish 'tronada,' which means 'thunderstorm.'
The term 'tornado' was first used in English in the late 16th century.

Science

Tornadoes form from severe thunderstorms called supercells when warm, moist air meets cold, dry air.
The lowest pressure in a tornado can cause extreme pressure gradients, resulting in wind speeds that can exceed 300 miles per hour.

Geography

Most tornadoes in the United States occur in 'Tornado Alley,' which stretches from Texas to North Dakota.
Tornadoes can form in many countries, including Canada, Australia, and parts of Europe.

Pop Culture

Tornadoes have appeared in many movies, the most famous being 'The Wizard of Oz,' where a tornado transports Dorothy to a magical land.
The 'Tornado' rides in amusement parks simulate the twisting motion and speed of an actual tornado.

Safety and Preparedness

During a tornado, it's important to seek shelter in a sturdy building, ideally in a basement or interior room away from windows.
Tornado watches indicate conditions are right for a tornado, while tornado warnings mean one has been sighted or indicated by radar.

Translations

Translations of the word "tornado" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tornado

🇮🇳 बवंडर

🇩🇪 Tornado

🇮🇩 tornado

🇺🇦 торнадо

🇵🇱 tornado

🇯🇵 竜巻 (たつまき)

🇫🇷 tornade

🇪🇸 tornado

🇹🇷 tornado

🇰🇷 토네이도

🇸🇦 إعصار

🇨🇿 tornádo

🇸🇰 tornádo

🇨🇳 龙卷风 (lóng juǎn fēng)

🇸🇮 tornado

🇮🇸 tornado

🇰🇿 торнадо

🇬🇪 ტორნადო

🇦🇿 tornado

🇲🇽 tornado

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,572, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
16569 denser
16570 interpretative
16571 repudiate
16572 tornado
16573 programmatic
16574 trod
16575 perpetrator
...