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hurricane
[ hur-i-keyn, huhr-or, especially British, -kuhn ]
noun
- Meteorology. a tropical cyclone of the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, or eastern Pacific Ocean, having sustained wind speeds of at least 64 knots (74 miles per hour, 33 meters per second): hurricanes form in waters with surface temperatures of about 80°F (27°C), intensifying as temperatures rise. Compare typhoon.
- anything characterized by a turmoil of force or activity, suggestive of a hurricane:
As our helicopter got closer to the canyon, a hurricane of wild horses took off in all directions, kicking up clouds of dust that impaired the pilot’s vision.
- Hurricane, Military. a single-seat British fighter plane of World War II, fitted with eight .303 caliber machine guns and with a top speed in excess of 300 miles per hour (480 kilometers per hour).
hurricane
/ -keɪn; ˈhʌrɪkən /
noun
- a severe, often destructive storm, esp a tropical cyclone
- a wind of force 12 or above on the Beaufort scale
- ( as modifier )
a wind of hurricane force
- anything acting like such a wind
hurricane
/ hûr′ĭ-kān′ /
- A severe, rotating tropical storm with heavy rains and cyclonic winds exceeding 74 mi (119 km) per hour, especially such a storm occurring in the Northern Hemisphere. Hurricanes originate in the tropical parts of the Atlantic Ocean or the Caribbean Sea and move generally northward. They lose force when they move over land or colder ocean waters.
- See Note at cyclone
hurricane
- A large tropical storm system with high-powered circular winds. ( See cyclone and eye of a hurricane .)
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Notes
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Word History and Origins
Origin of hurricane1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of hurricane1
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Compare Meanings
How does hurricane compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
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Example Sentences
Sociologists estimate that people remember the worst effects of a hurricane for just seven years, and that 85 percent of US coastal residents haven’t actually experienced a direct hit from a major hurricane before.
These storms have winds rivaling the strength of a hurricane or tornado, but push forward in one direction instead of rotating.
“It seems that hurricanes are immensely important,” Donihue says.
A hurricane around the center of a galaxy called J0230 has winds that howl at one-fifth of the speed of light.
For instance, more water now gets dumped on cities during hurricanes.
“We dealt with so many problems when we were shooting in New York, like trying to shoot during Hurricane Sandy,” says Esco.
The absent turkey had been blown clean away in the hurricane force winds, I concluded.
Leaving the moribund Eddie, Frank crosses paths with a black deliveryman, and they talk about hurricane survivors.
Ann is only one of many “hurricane conspirators” who believe the storm has changed everything.
Inhofe said the two disasters were different because the hurricane drew so many moochers.
Maybe it didn't feel good to be on the hurricane deck of a good horse once more!
In a few days a new home was ready and the terrible hurricane forgotten by the carefree, happy little boy.
You also remember that last summer a hurricane destroyed the boy's home, and a new one had to be built.
They are, however, much less energetic, and often of greater size than the hurricane whirl.
Many a wild hurricane has spent its force on this tree of life, but has only caused it to strike its roots deeper.
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Hurricane Vs. Cyclone Vs. Typhoon
What’s the difference between a hurricane, a cyclone, and a typhoon?
Hurricane, cyclone, 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.
hurricane vs. tornado
Hurricanes are essentially massive, spinning formations of multiple thunderstorms, while tornadoes are rotating funnel clouds formed from a single storm—and only over land. Tornadoes can form from the thunderstorms that make up a hurricane, but they more commonly form from single thunderstorms. Tornadoes are much, much smaller in scale than hurricanes.
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 hurricane, cyclone, 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 hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons.
Quiz yourself on hurricane vs. cyclone vs. typhoon!
Should hurricane, cyclone, 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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