cumulonimbus

[ kyoo-myuh-loh-nim-buhs ]

/ ˌkyu myə loʊˈnɪm bəs /

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Definition of cumulonimbus

noun, plural cu·mu·lo·nim·bus.

a cloud of a class indicative of thunderstorm conditions, characterized by large, dense towers that often reach altitudes of 30,000 feet (9,000 meters) or more, cumuliform except for their tops, which appear fibrous because of the presence of ice crystals: occurs as a single cloud or as a group with merged bases and separate tops.

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Also called thundercloud, thunderclouds, thunderhead.

Origin of cumulonimbus

First recorded in 1885–90; cumulo- + nimbus

Words nearby cumulonimbus

cumulative scoring, cumulative voting, cumulet, cumuliform, cumulo-, cumulonimbus, cumulostratus, cumulous, cumulus, cumulus clouds, Cuna

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

British Dictionary definitions for cumulonimbus

cumulonimbus

/ (ˌkjuːmjʊləʊˈnɪmbəs) /

noun plural -bi (-baɪ) or -buses

meteorol a cumulus cloud of great vertical extent, the top often forming an anvil shape and the bottom being dark coloured, indicating rain or hail: associated with thunderstorms

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for cumulonimbus

cumulonimbus

[ kyōōm′yə-lō-nĭm′bəs ]

Plural cumulonimbi (kyōōm′yə-lō-nĭm′bī)

An extremely dense, vertically developed cloud with a low, dark base and fluffy masses that tower to great heights. Cumulonimbus clouds usually produce heavy rains, thunderstorms, or hailstorms. Also called thundercloud See illustration at cloud.