tropical cyclone

[trop-i-kuhl sahy-klohn]

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.

tropical cyclone

1. See under cyclone

Word History and Origins

Origin of tropical cyclone¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Vietnam is in one of the most active tropical cyclone regions on Earth and is typically affected by 10 typhoons or storms a year, but Koto is the 15th of 2025.

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

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Tropical Cyclone Fina loomed off the coast of the Northern Territory for several days before rapidly intensifying to a category 3 storm.

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The cyclone was travelling towards the Northern Territory for the past few days and was expected to make landfall as a category 2 tropical cyclone.

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Northern Australia is on high alert as a tropical cyclone barrels down on the state, as authorities warn the worst of the storm will strike on Saturday.

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