- The definition of a cyclone is a violent rotating windstorm.
An example of cyclone is a tornado.
cyclone definition by Webster's New World
- loosely a windstorm with a violent, whirling movement; tornado or hurricane
- Meteorol. a system of rotating winds over a vast area, spinning inward to a low pressure center (counterclockwise in the N Hemisphere) and generally causing stormy weather: commonly called a low, since it coexists with low barometric pressure
Origin: altered ; from cyclome (; from Classical Greek kyklōma, wheel), influenced, influence by Classical Greek kyklōn, moving in a circle ; from kykloein, to circle around, whirl ; from kyklos: see wheel
cyclone definition by American Heritage Dictionary
- Meteorology a. An atmospheric system characterized by the rapid inward circulation of air masses about a low-pressure center, usually accompanied by stormy, often destructive weather. Cyclones circulate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.b. A violent tropical storm, especially one originating in the southwestern Pacific Ocean or Indian Ocean.
- A violent rotating windstorm.
- Any of various devices using centrifugal force to separate materials.
Origin: From Greek kuklōn, present participle of kukloun, to rotate, from kuklos, circle; see kwel-1 in Indo-European roots.
- cy·clonˈic , cy·clonˈi·cal adjective
cyclone - Cultural Definition
Any circular wind motion. A region of low atmospheric pressure. Also, a tropical storm.
cyclone - Science Definition
- A large-scale system of winds that spiral in toward a region of low atmospheric pressure. A cyclone's rotational direction is opposite to that of an anticyclone. In the Northern hemisphere, a cyclone rotates counterclockwise; in the Southern hemisphere, clockwise. Because low-pressure systems generally produce clouds and precipitation, cyclones are often simply referred to as storms. ♦ An extratropical cyclone is one that forms outside the tropics at middle or high latitudes. Extratropical cyclones usually have an organized front and migrate eastward with the prevailing westerly winds of those latitudes. ♦ A tropical cyclone forms over warm tropical waters and is generally smaller than an extratropical cyclone. Such a system is characterized by a warm, well-defined core and can range in intensity from a tropical depression to a hurricane. Compare anticyclone.
- A small-scale, violently rotating windstorm, such as a tornado or waterspout. Not in scientific use.