tropical cyclone

American  

[trop-i-kuhl sahy-klohn] / ˈtrɒp ɪ kəl ˈsaɪ kloʊn /

noun

Meteorology.

1. a warm-core cyclone that originates over a tropical ocean area, generally beginning as a tropical depression and having the potential to intensify and develop into a hurricane or typhoon, classifications that depend on where the storm is occurring.

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tropical cyclone Scientific  

/ trŏp′ĭ-kəl /

1. See under cyclone

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Etymology

Origin of tropical cyclone

First recorded in 1915–20

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Compare meaning

How does tropical-cyclone compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• tropical cyclone vs. hurricane
• tropical cyclone vs. tropical storm

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tropical cyclone

"A tropical cyclone has to stand up straight before it can intensify," said Michael S. Fischer, the lead author and an assistant professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the Rosenstiel School.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 20, 2026

However, the institute said that the weather pattern could influence tropical cyclone activity in the central and east Pacific and could change the risk of floods, wildfires and other extreme weather elsewhere.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

Patricia holds the record as the strongest tropical cyclone ever observed, with winds reaching up to 185 knots -- powerful enough to qualify as a Category 7 storm, if such a category existed, Lin said.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 25, 2025

An exceptionally rare tropical cyclone, named Cyclone Senyar, caused catastrophic landslides and flooding in Indonesia, with homes swept away and thousands of buildings submerged.

From BBC ● Nov. 29, 2025

My mind spun like the vortex of a tropical cyclone.

From "The London Eye Mystery" by Siobhan Dowd

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