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cyclone
[ sahy-klohn ]
noun
- Meteorology. a large-scale, atmospheric wind-and-pressure system characterized by low pressure at its center and by circular wind motion, counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. Compare anticyclone, extratropical cyclone, subtropical cyclone, tropical cyclone.
- (not in technical use) tornado ( def 1 ).
- Also called cy·clone col·lec·tor [sahy, -klohn k, uh, -lek-ter], Machinery. a device for removing small or powdered solids from air, water, or other gases or liquids by centrifugal force.
Cyclone
1/ ˈsaɪkləʊn /
adjective
- (of fencing) made of interlaced wire and metal
cyclone
2/ saɪˈklɒnɪk; ˈsaɪkləʊn /
noun
- another name for depression
- a violent tropical storm; hurricane
cyclone
/ sī′klōn′ /
- A large-scale system of winds that spiral in toward a region of low atmospheric pressure. A cyclone's rotational direction is opposite to that of an anticyclone. In the Northern hemisphere, a cyclone rotates counterclockwise; in the Southern hemisphere, clockwise. Because low-pressure systems generally produce clouds and precipitation, cyclones are often simply referred to as storms.
- ◆だいやまーく An extratropical cyclone is one that forms outside the tropics at middle or high latitudes. Extratropical cyclones usually have an organized front and migrate eastward with the prevailing westerly winds of those latitudes.
- ◆だいやまーく A tropical cyclone forms over warm tropical waters and is generally smaller than an extratropical cyclone. Such a system is characterized by a warm, well-defined core and can range in intensity from a tropical depression to a hurricane.
- Compare anticyclone
- A small-scale, violently rotating windstorm, such as a tornado or waterspout. Not in scientific use.
cyclone
- Any circular wind motion. A region of low atmospheric pressure . Also, a tropical storm.
Notes
Derived Forms
- cyclonic, adjective
- cyˈclonically, adverb
Other Words From
- min·i·cy·clone noun
- pre·cy·clone noun
Word History and Origins
Origin of cyclone1
Word History and Origins
Origin of cyclone1
A Closer Look
Compare Meanings
How does cyclone compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
"The wind pattern — it was like a fire cyclone that went completely behind the house."
Yet, there’s a cyclone of emotions inside this goofball that he never lets out — never ever.
Hundreds of thousands of people remain without power in Australia after a cyclone brought wild weather to the east coast.
Storm Alfred has been downgraded from a cyclone to a tropical low, but local authorities have warned that the threat it poses is "not over".
Four million people are in the firing line of the region's first tropical cyclone in more than half a century, which is expected to make landfall on Saturday.
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Related Words
Cyclone Vs. Hurricane Vs. Typhoon
What’s the difference between a cyclone, a hurricane, and a typhoon?
Cyclone, hurricane , and typhoon are all terms for big storms.
Although the word cyclone is often used to refer to a big storm, it is, technically speaking, a large-scale, atmospheric wind-and-pressure system characterized by low pressure at its center and by circular wind motion. Because these generally produce clouds and precipitation, cyclones are often simply referred to as storms. When such storms form around the tropics, they are called tropical cyclones . Tropical cyclones are classified based on their strength. They may start as tropical depressions and progress to tropical storms. The most severe tropical cyclones—those with winds of 74 mph (119 k/mh) or more—are called hurricanes or typhoons. Which term is used depends on where the storm occurs.
Generally, storms that form over the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico are called hurricanes, while those that form over the Pacific Ocean are called typhoons. (The word hurricane is sometimes used for storms that form over the eastern or central North Pacific Ocean.)
Cyclones rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
cyclone vs. tornado
In casual use, the word cyclone is sometimes used to refer to a tornado (but it is not used this way in scientific contexts).
Here’s an example of cyclone, hurricane, and typhoon used correctly in a sentence.
Example: There have been many devastating cyclones this season, including a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico and multiple typhoons in the Pacific.
Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between cyclones, hurricanes, and typhoons.
Quiz yourself on cyclone vs. hurricane vs. typhoon!
Should cyclone, hurricane, or typhoon be used in the following sentence?
Meteorologists are tracking a _____ that has formed in the Atlantic Ocean with winds exceeding 100 mph.
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