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).

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

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

How to use hurricane in a sentence

Passing a bill in Congress will not result in fewer tornadoes and hurricanes, he said.
Marco Rubio’s Climate Change Doublespeak | Eleanor Clift | May 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The colds get colder, the hots get hotter, and the hurricanes get more destructive.
From Snowy Atlanta to Sunny Sochi, It's All About Global Weirding | Scott Bixby | February 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The huge challenge of climate change and the related phenomenon of “extreme weather events” like hurricanes, floods and droughts.
At Davos 2014, The Gods Of Mischief Rule | Christopher Dickey | January 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
An environmentalist group wants hurricanes and storm systems named after politicians who adamantly deny global warming exists.
Hurricane Marco Rubio: Name the Storms After Those Who Deny Global Warming Exists | Miranda Green | September 9, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Typically there are 12 named storms, six hurricanes, and three major hurricanes.
Hurricane Season Is Starting, and Projections Are Higher Than Average | Eliza Shapiro | May 29, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST

There is another effect from hurricanes which is even more destructive to life than that caused by the direct action of the wind.
Outlines of the Earth's History | Nathaniel Southgate Shaler
Fortunately, hurricanes are limited to a very small part of the tropical district.
Outlines of the Earth's History | Nathaniel Southgate Shaler
Only less in order of magnitude than the hurricanes are the circular storms known as cyclones.
Outlines of the Earth's History | Nathaniel Southgate Shaler
Thus in their more violent forms hurricanes are only felt near the sea, and generally on islands and peninsulas.
Outlines of the Earth's History | Nathaniel Southgate Shaler
In every regard except their small size and their violence these tornadoes closely resemble hurricanes.
Outlines of the Earth's History | Nathaniel Southgate Shaler

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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