cyclonic

[ sahy-klon-ik ]

adjective

, Meteorology.

1. of or relating to a cyclone:

   a cyclonic system developing to our west.

2. describing a direction of rotation that is counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere, and undefined at the equator:

   In the Weddell Sea, the main circulation is cyclonic.

Other Words From

• cy·clon·i·cal·ly adverb
• pre·cy·clon·ic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cyclonic¹

First recorded in 1855–60; cyclon(e) + -ic

Example Sentences

Every summer, the warm waters off the northwest coast of Africa spin off cyclonic systems that hurtle across the Atlantic, reaching the easternmost stretch of these islands — where Barbados stands sentinel.

From ProPublica

Featuring cyclonic technology that delivers powerful, continuous suction, the Bissell Zing Bagless Canister Vacuum makes it easy to clean hardwood surfaces throughout your home.

From Popular-Science

Finally, the team calculated the energy demands of all five species under both typical winter and cyclonic conditions.

From Popular-Science

He then calls Fox News a “cyclonic perpetual emotion machine.”

From The Daily Beast

One of the most valuable services rendered is that of the warnings of cyclonic storms for the benefit of marine interests.

From Project Gutenberg

Here was a man who stood four square to the winds, undisturbed by the cyclonic outbursts of unfriendly newspapers.

From Project Gutenberg

This may give a rough idea of the apparatus employed to measure the momentary velocity of the cyclonic gusts.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a sudden crashing arc and a blaze of blue flame that swept in a cyclonic twisting motion inside the crucible.

From Project Gutenberg

Jim saw the black smoke masses whirl through the jagged hole in the Dome's wall as the air burst out in a cyclonic gust.

From Project Gutenberg