natural disaster

American  

[nach-er-uhl-di-zas-ter] / ˈnætʃ ər əl dɪˈzæs tər /

noun

1. a sudden, severe event in nature, such as a flood, earthquake, wildfire, etc., especially one that causes widespread damage and harm.

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Example Sentences

It noted the fires were the third-worst natural disaster in American history in terms of insured losses, at $40 billion.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

It is granted to people deemed to be in danger if they return to their home countries because of war, natural disaster or other extraordinary circumstances.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

Because, for veterans of modern warfare, the question isn’t how to come to grips with something that befell us in the manner of a natural disaster.

From Slate • Mar. 16, 2026

And insurance providers will not let you purchase insurance that covers, say, cancellation for a natural disaster if that disaster has already happened.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 3, 2026

Archaeologists who come across these 110 skeletons may too easily conclude that most fell victim to some natural disaster.

From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari