natural disaster

American  

[nach-er-uhl-di-zas-ter] / ˈnætʃ ər əl dɪˈzæs tər /

noun

1. a sudden, severe event in nature, such as a flood, earthquake, wildfire, etc., especially one that causes widespread damage and harm.

---

Example Sentences

In most U.S. states, Indiana included, when a healthy tree falls onto a neighbor’s property during a storm or other natural disaster, each property owner is responsible for the damage on their own land.

From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026

Those might include establishing a federal reinsurance program that shares natural disaster risks with insurers, or covering the risk itself similarly to how the National Flood Insurance Program works.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Because, for veterans of modern warfare, the question isn’t how to come to grips with something that befell us in the manner of a natural disaster.

From Slate • Mar. 16, 2026

It is granted to people deemed to be in danger if they return to their home countries because of war, natural disaster or other extraordinary circumstances.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

We can lead a full life and never personally encounter a natural disaster more violent than a storm.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan