tropical storm
Americannoun
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tropical storms
plural
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A tropical cyclone having sustained surface winds between 39 and 73 mi (63 and 118 km) per hour.
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See Note at cyclone
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of tropical storm
First recorded in 1940–45
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How does tropical-storm compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The hazardous surf is being sent from tropical storm systems south of California, including Tropical Storm Fausto and the remnants of Tropical Storm Elida.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
"A tropical storm watch is in effect for Ochlockonee River, Florida, westward to the Jefferson/Plaquemines Parish border in Louisiana," forecasters said.
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026
Gezani weakened after landfall but continued to sweep across the island as a tropical storm until late Wednesday.
From Barron's ● Feb. 12, 2026
A New York Times article in October highlighted hurricanes “turning away from the East Coast,” noting 12 named storms so far but only one minor tropical storm brushing the U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 3, 2025
It says that the tropical storm is moving faster than anyone has really expected, and that it’s quickly escalating.
From "Hurricane Child" by Kheryn Callender
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
