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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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.
It’s only the second time a tropical storm watch has been issued in California.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2026
The weather service issued the tropical storm watch Friday for most of San Diego County.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2026
A tropical storm watch is in effect for all of San Diego County, which borders Mexico, marking only the second time a tropical storm watch has ever been issued in California.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
The approach of a tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico also prompted supply concerns, with Shell and Chevron both halting production at several sites.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
Around the rock were drifts of snow, now sodden from the tropical storm.
From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George
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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.