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

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

Example Sentences

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

When asked about another scene from the attack, Grok incorrectly claimed it was footage from tropical "cyclone Alfred," which generated heavy weather across the Australian coast earlier this year.

From Barron's

Witnessing the devastation caused by the tropical cyclone - one of the most powerful to ever hit the Atlantic Ocean - made her want to do something to help.

From BBC

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.

From Barron's

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