ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cyclone

n. · v.
US //sɪˈkɫoʊn// UK //sˈaɪkləʊn// cy·clone
  1. 1 weather system (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Science

    a large weather system where winds spin around a centre of low pressure.

    a large-scale atmospheric system of winds rotating inward to an area of low atmospheric pressure.

    Example

    The weather map showed a massive cyclone moving across the ocean toward the coast.

    Example

    Meteorologists tracked the development of the mid-latitude cyclone as it deepened over the Atlantic, bringing significant precipitation to the eastern seaboard.

    Usage

    In technical contexts, it refers to any low-pressure system, not just a violent storm.
    • anticyclone
  2. 2 tropical storm (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a violent tropical storm, especially one that happens in the Indian Ocean or South Pacific.

    a regional term for a tropical cyclone occurring in the South Pacific or Indian Ocean, equivalent to a hurricane or typhoon.

    Example

    The islands were hit by a powerful cyclone that caused widespread flooding.

    Example

    The regional disaster management office issued a red alert as the cyclone approached the coast of Queensland, predicting wind speeds exceeding two hundred kilometres per hour.

    Teacher's tip

    Explain to students that 'hurricane', 'typhoon', and 'cyclone' often describe the same type of storm but are used in different geographic regions.
  3. 3 tornado or strong wind (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal American English

    a very strong wind or a spinning wind like a tornado.

    a violent, small-scale atmospheric circulation such as a tornado or dust devil; also used loosely for any powerful wind.

    Example

    The old barn was knocked down by a sudden cyclone that ripped through the valley.

    Example

    In local parlance, the residents often referred to the devastating twisters as cyclones, despite the technical distinction made by the national weather service.
  4. 4 to move in a spiral (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary

    to move or spin in a circle like a storm.

    to move, whirl, or spiral in a manner characteristic of a cyclone or whirlwind.

    Example

    The dry leaves started to cyclone around the yard in the autumn wind.

    Example

    Dust and debris began to cyclone through the deserted streets as the pressure dropped and the sky turned an ominous shade of green.
Origin

Coined by Henry Piddington, probably in the 1840s, and based on some term in Ancient Greek. Sources disagree on the date and on which Ancient Greek term, though it had to be something derived from either κύκλος (kúklos, “circle, wheel”) or κυκλόω (kuklóō, “go around in a circle, form a circle, encircle”), for example the present active participle κυκλῶν (kuklôn). See cycle and wheel.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026