cumulus

noun

cu·​mu·​lus ˈkyü-myə-ləs 

plural cumuli ˈkyü-myə-ˌlī 

-ˌlē

1

: heap, accumulation

2

[New Latin, from Latin] : a dense puffy cloud form having a flat base and rounded outlines often piled up like a mountain see cloud illustration

Synonyms

• accretion
• accumulation
• assemblage
• collection
• cumulation
• gathering
• lodgment
• lodgement
• pileup

Examples of cumulus in a Sentence

the cumulus of sundry things that fill up one's attic and somehow sum up a lifetime of experiences

Recent Examples on the Web

According to a recent study published in the journal Nature Communications Earth & Environment, researchers found that shallow cumulus clouds will dissipate when only a portion of the sun is obscured during the solar eclipse and won't reappear until after the event. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 3 Apr. 2024

Such complexity is far beyond fourth grade lessons about cumulus clouds or cold fronts. —Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024

The start of the race was a magnificent spectacle—a river of bodies, many wearing flags, channeled through a prim and floral Alpine city with blue and cumulus skies above and towering snowy peaks all around while bass Vangelis music pumped across the main square. —Tom Mullen, Forbes, 8 Sep. 2024

The presence of cumulus clouds (those fluffy, puffy white clouds) also makes for a great sunset, explains Marisa Marulli, a conservation photographer. —Brittany Anas, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1659, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

cumulus

noun

cu·​mu·​lus ˈkyü-myə-ləs 

plural cumuli -ˌlī 

-ˌlē

: a dense puffy cloud form having a flat base and rounded outlines often piled up like a mountain

Medical Definition

cumulus

noun

cu·​mu·​lus ˈkyü-myə-ləs 

plural cumuli -ˌlī, -ˌlē 

: the projecting mass of granulosa cells that bears the developing ovum in a graafian follicle

called also discus proligerus