noun Uncommon

cyclone

SEYE-klohn

Cyclone (noun) means a large storm system with winds rotating around a centre of low atmospheric pressure. Example: “The cyclone made landfall with winds of over 150 miles an hour.”

noun

A large storm system with winds rotating around a centre of low atmospheric pressure.

"The cyclone made landfall with winds of over 150 miles an hour."

"Coastal residents were evacuated ahead of the approaching cyclone."

A tropical storm of this kind, especially one occurring in the Indian Ocean or South Pacific.

"Cyclone season in the region typically runs from November to April."

How to Use Cyclone

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA rotating storm system; the same kind of storm is called a hurricane in the Atlantic and a typhoon in the northwest Pacific.

Common mistake

Cyclone, hurricane, and typhoon all describe the same weather phenomenon — the name used just depends on where in the world it forms.

Easily confused with

hurricane → typhoon →

Word Forms

cycloned past tense, cyclones plural, cyclones singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ made landfall with winds of over 150 miles an hour.

Etymology

Coined in the 1840s, probably by meteorologist Henry Piddington, from an Ancient Greek root related to kuklos ("circle") or kukloo ("to encircle") — the same family as "cycle" and "wheel."

Origin: Ancient Greek · First attested 1840

Class of 1840 cyclone joined the language around 1840.

bender harmonium kindergarten ovarian ozone

See the full Class of 1840 →

Rhymes for cyclone

one bone done gone none tone lone hone cone zone Sone stone

See all rhymes for cyclone →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “cyclone” mean?

The word “cyclone” means a large storm system with winds rotating around a centre of low atmospheric pressure. In plain terms, a rotating storm system; the same kind of storm is called a hurricane in the Atlantic and a typhoon in the northwest Pacific.

How do you pronounce “cyclone”?

“Cyclone” is pronounced SEYE-klohn (/ˈsaɪ.kloʊn/ in IPA).

How do you use “cyclone” in a sentence?

Here is “cyclone” used in a sentence: “The cyclone made landfall with winds of over 150 miles an hour.”

What part of speech is “cyclone”?

“Cyclone” is a noun.

Where does the word “cyclone” come from?

The word “cyclone” dates back to around 1840 and comes from Ancient Greek. Coined in the 1840s, probably by meteorologist Henry Piddington, from an Ancient Greek root related to kuklos ("circle") or kukloo ("to encircle") — the same family as "cycle" and "wheel.".

Is “cyclone” a common word?

“Cyclone” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “cyclone” have?

“Cyclone” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large storm system with winds rotating around a centre of low atmospheric pressure.

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Vocabulary lists that include cyclone:

Words With Greek Origins