noun
Common
hurricane
HUH-rih-kuhn
Hurricane (noun) means a powerful rotating tropical storm with sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour, typically forming over the Atlantic or eastern Pacific. Example: “Strong winds from the hurricane tore roofs off houses along the shore.”
noun
1
A powerful rotating tropical storm with sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour, typically forming over the Atlantic or eastern Pacific.
"Strong winds from the hurricane tore roofs off houses along the shore."
"The coastal town was evacuated ahead of the hurricane."
"Hurricane season in the Atlantic runs from June through November."
2
Any sudden, overwhelming rush of activity, emotion, or force.
"The new manager walked into a hurricane of emails on her first morning."
"A hurricane of emotions swept over him as the train pulled in."
"A hurricane of criticism followed the announcement."
3
A sweet rum-based cocktail typically made with passion fruit and lemon juice.
"Would you like a hurricane or a plain lemonade with your meal?"
"The bartender shook a fruity hurricane and poured it over ice."
"They ordered hurricanes at the bar on Bourbon Street."
How to use hurricane
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA violent tropical storm — or, more loosely, any overwhelming burst of force or activity.
UK vs US
The same storm type is called a "typhoon" in the western Pacific and a "cyclone" in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific.
Common pairings
a category 5 hurricane
hurricane season
hurricane warning
weather the hurricane
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Word forms
- Plural
- hurricanes
- Third person singular
- hurricanes
- Past tense
- hurricaned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Strong winds from the _____ tore roofs off houses along the shore.
Etymology
Borrowed from Spanish huracán, which came from a Taíno word for a powerful storm god.
Related words
Rhymes for hurricane
See all rhymes for hurricane →Frequently asked questions
What does “hurricane” mean?
The word “hurricane” means a powerful rotating tropical storm with sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour, typically forming over the Atlantic or eastern Pacific. In plain terms, a violent tropical storm — or, more loosely, any overwhelming burst of force or activity.
How do you pronounce “hurricane”?
“Hurricane” is pronounced HUH-rih-kuhn (/ˈhʌɹɪkeɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “hurricane” in a sentence?
Here is “hurricane” used in a sentence: “The coastal town was evacuated ahead of the hurricane.”
What part of speech is “hurricane”?
“Hurricane” is a noun.
Where does the word “hurricane” come from?
The word “hurricane” comes from Spanish. Borrowed from Spanish huracán, which came from a Taíno word for a powerful storm god.
Is “hurricane” a common word?
“Hurricane” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “hurricane” have?
“Hurricane” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a powerful rotating tropical storm with sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour, typically forming over the Atlantic or eastern Pacific.
What is the difference between a hurricane, a typhoon, and a cyclone?
These are the same type of powerful rotating tropical storm, just named differently by region. It is called a hurricane over the Atlantic and eastern Pacific, a typhoon in the western Pacific, and a cyclone in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific.
What is the difference between a hurricane and a tropical storm?
The distinction is wind speed. A storm is classified as a hurricane once its sustained winds reach at least 74 miles per hour; below that threshold it is a tropical storm.
Can hurricane be used figuratively?
Yes. Beyond the weather event, hurricane can describe any sudden, overwhelming rush of activity, emotion, or force, as in a hurricane of criticism or a hurricane of applause. This figurative use emphasises intensity and speed.
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