cyclone

1 of 2

noun

cy·​clone ˈsī-ˌklōn 

1

a

: a storm or system of winds that rotates about a center of low atmospheric pressure, advances at a speed of 20 to 30 miles (about 30 to 50 kilometers) an hour, and often brings heavy rain

b

: tornado

c

: low entry 2 sense 1b

2

: any of various centrifugal devices for separating materials (such as solid particles from gases)

cyclonic

sī-ˈklä-nik 

adjective

cyclonically

sī-ˈklä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Cyclone

2 of 2

trademark

Cy·​clone ˈsī-ˌklōn 

—used for a chain-link fence

Examples of cyclone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The bomb cyclone brought wind speeds of over 100 mph near Seattle and gusts up to 80 mph in Northern California with winter snow warnings in the Sierra Nevadas, seeing snow conditions make mountain travel nearly impossible. —Jim Foerster, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024

California See the bomb cyclone approaching California from space Nov. 20, 2024 On Saturday, Los Angeles and Ventura counties could see anywhere from a tenth to a third of an inch of rain. —Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024

Satellite footage captured from space showed the bomb cyclone swirling off the Pacific Northwest. —Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024

The bomb cyclone ushered in an atmospheric river, which brought a deluge to California. —Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

modification of Greek kyklōma wheel, coil, from kykloun to go around, from kyklos circle

First Known Use

Noun

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing cyclone

• bomb cyclone
• cyclone cellar
• extratropical cyclone
• tropical cyclone

Kids Definition

cyclone

noun

cy·​clone ˈsī-ˌklōn 

1

: a storm or system of winds that rotates about a center of low atmospheric pressure, advances at a speed of 20 to 30 miles (30 to 50 kilometers) an hour, and often brings a great deal of rain

2

: tornado

cyclonic

sī-ˈklän-ik 

adjective