tropical storm
Americannoun
-
tropical storms
plural
-
A tropical cyclone having sustained surface winds between 39 and 73 mi (63 and 118 km) per hour.
-
See Note at cyclone
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of tropical storm
First recorded in 1940–45
Compare meaning
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 National Weather Service said Sunday morning that Rachel was no longer a tropical storm.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 11, 2026
The remnants of tropical storm Rachel brought rain and gnarly ocean conditions to much of Southern California, damaging homes in Newport Beach and flooding the Coachella Valley.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 11, 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
There had been rumblings all week about a tropical storm crossing the Florida Keys, a chance it might head north.
From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers
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.
