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derecho
noun
de·re·cho
də-ˈrā-(ˌ)chō
plural derechos
: a large fast-moving complex of thunderstorms with powerful straight-line winds that cause widespread destruction
Examples of derecho in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Frustration with CenterPoint was mounting during what was just the latest electricity crisis — in May, an intense storm known as a derecho also caused about 1 million power outages, some of which took six days to restore.
—Scott Dance, Washington Post, 11 July 2024
The plant closed in 2020 after sustaining damage during a derecho, a fast, powerful thunderstorm.
—Umair Irfan, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
Downed trees and strong winds toppled neighborhood power lines, and the May derecho even felled some massive transmission towers, warping them into twisted metal.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN, 12 July 2024
Although there already were efforts to grow shorter corn, the demand for innovations by private companies such as Bayer and academic scientists soared after an intense windstorm — called a derecho — plowed through the Midwest in August 2020.
—Erin Prater, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2024
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Word History
Etymology
Spanish, straight (contrasted with tornado, taken to mean "turned"), from Latin directus — more at direct entry 1
First Known Use
1888, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near derecho
Cite this Entry
“Derecho.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derecho. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
derecho
noun
de·re·cho
də-ˈrā-(ˌ)chō
plural derechos
: a large fast-moving complex of thunderstorms with powerful winds that move in a straight line and that cause widespread destruction
Etymology
from Spanish, "straight" (opposed to tornado, taken to mean "turned" in Spanish)
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