1. a violent rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground

Examples

• The tornado destroyed several houses in the small town.
• Weather forecasters issued a tornado warning for the county.
• We took shelter in the basement when the tornado sirens sounded.
• The powerful tornado had winds exceeding 200 miles per hour.
• After the tornado passed, debris was scattered everywhere.
• Storm chasers followed the tornado across the prairie.
• The tornado touched down near the highway and moved northeast.