hurricane

[ hur-i-keyn, huhr- or, especially British, -kuhn ]

See synonyms for hurricane on Thesaurus.com

noun

Meteorology. a tropical cyclone of the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, or eastern Pacific Ocean, having sustained wind speeds of at least 64 knots (74 miles per hour, 33 meters per second): hurricanes form in waters with surface temperatures of about 80°F (27°C), intensifying as temperatures rise.: Compare typhoon.
anything characterized by a turmoil of force or activity, suggestive of a hurricane: As our helicopter got closer to the canyon, a hurricane of wild horses took off in all directions, kicking up clouds of dust that impaired the pilot’s vision.

Hurricane, Military. a single-seat British fighter plane of World War II, fitted with eight .303 caliber machine guns and with a top speed in excess of 300 miles per hour (480 kilometers per hour).

Compare Meanings

typhoon vs. hurricane cyclone vs. hurricane tropical storm vs. hurricane tsunami vs. hurricane tropical cyclone vs. hurricane

Click for a side-by-side comparison of meanings. Use the word comparison feature to learn the differences between similar and commonly confused words.

Origin of hurricane

First recorded in 1545–55; earlier furacan, hurricano, uracan, from Spanish huracán and Portuguese furacão, from Taíno huracán, furacán

Words that may be confused with hurricane

cyclone, hurricane , tidal wave, tornado, tsunami, typhoon

Words Nearby hurricane

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use hurricane in a sentence

Sociologists estimate that people remember the worst effects of a hurricane for just seven years, and that 85 percent of US coastal residents haven’t actually experienced a direct hit from a major hurricane before.
Hurricane Laura is the strongest storm to hit Louisiana in more than a century | Sara Chodosh | August 28, 2020 | Popular-Science
These storms have winds rivaling the strength of a hurricane or tornado, but push forward in one direction instead of rotating.
What’s behind August 2020’s extreme weather? Climate change and bad luck | Carolyn Gramling | August 27, 2020 | Science News
“It seems that hurricanes are immensely important,” Donihue says.
Analyze This: Hurricanes may help lizards evolve better grips | Carolyn Wilke | August 26, 2020 | Science News For Students
A hurricane around the center of a galaxy called J0230 has winds that howl at one-fifth of the speed of light.
Let’s learn about hurricanes | Bethany Brookshire | July 15, 2020 | Science News For Students
For instance, more water now gets dumped on cities during hurricanes.
Let’s learn about rain | Bethany Brookshire | June 17, 2020 | Science News For Students

“We dealt with so many problems when we were shooting in New York, like trying to shoot during hurricane Sandy,” says Esco.
‘Free The Nipple’: (You Gotta) Fight for Your Right to Go Topless | Lizzie Crocker | December 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The absent turkey had been blown clean away in the hurricane force winds, I concluded.
Confessions of a Turkey Killer | Tom Sykes | November 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Leaving the moribund Eddie, Frank crosses paths with a black deliveryman, and they talk about hurricane survivors.
Richard Ford’s Artful Survivalist Guide: The Return of Frank Bascombe | Tom LeClair | November 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Ann is only one of many “hurricane conspirators” who believe the storm has changed everything.
Richard Ford’s Artful Survivalist Guide: The Return of Frank Bascombe | Tom LeClair | November 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Inhofe said the two disasters were different because the hurricane drew so many moochers.
If You Think D.C. Is Awful Now, Wait Until Wednesday | Jonathan Alter | November 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Maybe it didn't feel good to be on the hurricane deck of a good horse once more!
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. Sinclair
In a few days a new home was ready and the terrible hurricane forgotten by the carefree, happy little boy.
Alila, Our Little Philippine Cousin | Mary Hazelton Wade
You also remember that last summer a hurricane destroyed the boy's home, and a new one had to be built.
Alila, Our Little Philippine Cousin | Mary Hazelton Wade
They are, however, much less energetic, and often of greater size than the hurricane whirl.
Outlines of the Earth's History | Nathaniel Southgate Shaler
Many a wild hurricane has spent its force on this tree of life, but has only caused it to strike its roots deeper.
Gospel Philosophy | J. H. Ward

British Dictionary definitions for hurricane

hurricane

/ (ˈhʌrɪkən, -keɪn) /

noun

a severe, often destructive storm, esp a tropical cyclone
- a wind of force 12 or above on the Beaufort scale
- (as modifier): a wind of hurricane force

anything acting like such a wind

Origin of hurricane

C16: from Spanish huracán, from Taino hurakán, from hura wind

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 hurricane

hurricane

[ hûr′ĭ-kān′ ]

A severe, rotating tropical storm with heavy rains and cyclonic winds exceeding 74 mi (119 km) per hour, especially such a storm occurring in the Northern Hemisphere. Hurricanes originate in the tropical parts of the Atlantic Ocean or the Caribbean Sea and move generally northward. They lose force when they move over land or colder ocean waters. See Note at cyclone.

Cultural definitions for hurricane

hurricane

A large tropical storm system with high-powered circular winds. (See cyclone and eye of a hurricane.)

Notes for hurricane

Between July and October, hurricanes cause extensive damage along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. (See Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.)

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