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

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.

From 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.

From BBC

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

From Los Angeles Times

India's weather department has said a depression over the Bay of Bengal is expected to turn into a severe cyclonic storm by Thursday evening.

From BBC

The cyclonic storm is expected to cross Bangladesh and India’s West Bengal coasts around midnight Sunday, the India Meteorological Department said in a statement.

From Seattle Times