hurricane
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
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
1Words 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-ScienceThese 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 StudentsA hurricane around the center of a galaxy called J0230 has winds that howl at one-fifth of the speed of light.
For instance, more water now gets dumped on cities during hurricanes.
“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 BEASTThe absent turkey had been blown clean away in the hurricane force winds, I concluded.
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 BEASTAnn 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 BEASTInhofe 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 BEASTMaybe it didn't feel good to be on the hurricane deck of a good horse once more!
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairIn 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 WadeYou 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 WadeThey are, however, much less energetic, and often of greater size than the hurricane whirl.
Outlines of the Earth's History | Nathaniel Southgate ShalerMany 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
/ (ˈhʌrɪkən, -keɪn) /
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
1Collins 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
[ 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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for hurricane
A large tropical storm system with high-powered circular winds. (See cyclone and eye of a hurricane.)
Notes for hurricane
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Browse