noun
cyclone
SIGH-klohn/ˈsaɪkləʊn/
A rotating airflow organized around a central region.
The cyclone brings powerful winds and heavy rain to shore.
Etymology
The Greek verb meaning “whirl” captures the storm’s defining motion: winds spiraling around a center. The term was coined to describe a devastating storm at Coringa, India.
In context
Big storms hurl them at the coast. >> This is one of the wrecks Tekerau has just been washed ashore from Cyclone Pam.
More examples
- Weather satellites track the cyclone as it crosses the ocean.
- Cyclones spin around areas of low atmospheric pressure.
- The factory uses a cyclone to remove dust from exhaust air.
Forms
cyclone · cyclones
cyclonic adjective — Having winds that rotate around a center.