cyclonic

Also cy·clon·i·cal

[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 Word Forms

• cyclonically adverb
• precyclonic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cyclonic¹

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

Example Sentences

Rescuers in Indonesia are searching for at least 400 people who have been reported missing, many believed to be buried under landslides, after cyclonic rains caused disastrous flooding nearly a week ago.

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The DMC said a cyclonic storm named "Ditwah" was moving across the island's eastern region, resulting in heavy rains across the country.

Read more on Barron's

Viewers watching the ceremony on CBS were offered a glimpse of the cyclonic energy she can generate in a bubbly opening number celebrating the nominees.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The city is on high alert for more pre-monsoon showers on Tuesday due to cyclonic formations over the Andaman Sea, according to authorities.

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Ince was a wunderkind of the new medium, and a man of cyclonic energy and aptitude.

Read more on Los Angeles Times