waterspout

American  

[waw-ter-spout, wot-er-] / ˈwɔ tərˌspaʊt, ˈwɒt ər- /

noun

1. Also called rainspout.  a pipe running down the side of a building to carry away water from the gutter of the roof.

   Don’t expect the waterspouts to function effectively if the gutters are clogged with leaves and other debris.

2. a spout, duct, or the like, from which water is discharged.

   The extendable waterspout can be attached to a bucket, making a better watering can than any that we’ve tried.

3. Also called fair-weather waterspout.  Meteorology. a funnel-shaped column laden with mist and spray that develops on the surface of a body of water and climbs upward to the cloud that has spawned it: usually formed during conditions of light winds, fair-weather waterspouts have little lateral movement and are not normally accompanied by thunderstorms.

4. Also called tornadic waterspout.  Meteorology. a tornado that forms in a downward direction over a body of water, typically during a severe thunderstorm and often accompanied by high winds, dangerous water turbulence, and large hail: although tornadic waterspouts tend to dissipate rapidly upon landfall, they may occasionally move inland.

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waterspout British  

/ ˈwɔːtəˌspaʊt /

noun

1. meteorol

   1. a tornado occurring over water that forms a column of water and mist extending between the surface and the clouds above

   2. a sudden downpour of heavy rain

2. a pipe or channel through which water is discharged, esp one used for drainage from the gutters of a roof

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Etymology

Origin of waterspout

First recorded in 1350–1400 and in 1730–40 waterspout for defs. 3, 4; Middle English; see water, spout

Example Sentences

That rain and gusty winds also could bring small hail and the possibility of a waterspout or small tornado, according to the weather service.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

In Orange County, a possible tornado or waterspout moved ashore around 10:15 p.m.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2025

The strong winds which accompanied the storm cloud began to swirl above the Brisbane River at Kangaroo Point, causing a short-lived waterspout, the name for a tornado over a body of water.

From BBC • Nov. 1, 2024

Witnesses described seeing a waterspout form during the storm before the sinking of the Bayesian yacht, which is similar to a tornado over a body of water.

From BBC • Aug. 24, 2024

Then, at the last instant, the waterspout veered off in a different direction.

From "The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra's Needle" by Dan Gutman

Related Words

• whirlpool