hur·ri·cane
ˈhər-ə-ˌkān 
-i-kən,
ˈhə-rə-,
ˈhə-ri-
1
: a tropical cyclone with winds of 74 miles (119 kilometers) per hour or greater that is usually accompanied by rain, thunder, and lightning, and that sometimes moves into temperate latitudes
Note: Hurricane has traditionally been used especially when naming or referring to storms occurring in the western Atlantic; it is used for storms in the northeastern Pacific as well.
The people who bought homes there would never find out the truth, unless a hurricane came and blew off their roofs and knocked down their walls.—
Carl Hiassen
Carl HiassenA few days after Hurricane Katrina slammed into New Orleans, a small group of strangers on bicycles showed up in the Algiers neighborhood, knocking on doors and asking if anyone needed medical attention.—Tim Shorrock
Tim ShorrockThe most recent system was Hurricane Erick, which charged towards Hawaii with winds topping 130mph as a category four system.—Katie Sewell
compare typhoon see Beaufort Scale Table
Katie Sewell2
: something resembling a hurricane especially in its turmoil
a rushing hurricane of blows struck him as he stood up—Donn Byrne
Donn Byrne
: having or being a glass chimney (see chimney sense 4) providing protection from wind
a hurricane lamp
Synonyms
Noun
- ado
- alarums and excursions
- ballyhoo
- blather
- bluster
- bobbery
- bother
- bustle
- clatter
- clutter [chiefly dialect]
- coil
- commotion
- corroboree [Australian]
- disturbance
- do [chiefly dialect]
- foofaraw
- fun
- furor
- furore
- fuss
- helter-skelter
- hoo-ha
- hoo-hah
- hoopla
- hubble-bubble
- hubbub
- hullabaloo
- hurly
- hurly-burly
- hurry
- hurry-scurry
- hurry-skurry
- kerfuffle [chiefly British]
- moil
- pandemonium
- pother
- row
- ruckus
- ruction
- rumpus
- shindy
- splore [Scottish]
- squall
- stew
- stir
- storm
- to-do
- tumult
- turmoil
- uproar
- welter
- whirl
- williwaw
- zoo
Examples of hurricane in a Sentence
Noun
economic news that unleashed a hurricane on the trading floor
Recent Examples on the WebDavid Fischer, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2024
This could mean that the many influential leaders and economists who long predicted storm clouds and a hurricane hitting the US economy may finally be right.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
The hurricane cone — the forecast path in which a hurricane will travel — included Southwest Idaho and Boise, marking the first time the Gem State was included in such a cone since the National Hurricane Center began creating them in 2002.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2024
This suggests an above-average hurricane season that may rival the busiest years on record.
—Emma Bubola, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2024
This year's hurricane season forecast includes the highest number of hurricanes ever predicted.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
La Niña conditions, which are set to arrive this summer, decrease vertical wind shear and increase favorable conditions for hurricanes.
—Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2024
That’s a measure based on how long a storm says at the range of hurricane strength categories.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2024
Climate change and heavier trucks Many of the country’s older bridges are vulnerable to extreme weather events, such as earthquakes, hurricanes or elevated heat.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 30 Mar. 2024
From Usa Today Network and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 20 Oct. 2022
The rocket, known as the Space Launch System and standing 322 feet tall with its payload on top, appears to be pretty hurricane resistant.
—Kenneth Chang, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Nov. 2022
The disaster at the 12-story oceanfront condo building in Surfside drew the largest non-hurricane emergency response in Florida history, including rescue crews from across the U.S. and as far away as Israel to help local teams search for victims.
—CBS News, 28 Oct. 2022
DeSantis has been all over the state in the weeks since, announcing post-hurricane clean-up projects.
—David Jackson, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2022
In visiting Florida post-hurricane, President Joe Biden has found himself in the crosswinds of two potential 2024 re-election opponents, Former President Donald Trump and current Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 6 Oct. 2022
The onslaught of mental anguish and post-hurricane dangers can seem overwhelming.
—Holly Yan, CNN, 29 Sep. 2022
Puerto Ricans await aid and fret about post-hurricane recovery.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2022
Noun
Coral reefs also help to protect humans and their homes along the coastline from storm surges during hurricanes.
—David Fischer, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2024
This could mean that the many influential leaders and economists who long predicted storm clouds and a hurricane hitting the US economy may finally be right.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
The hurricane cone — the forecast path in which a hurricane will travel — included Southwest Idaho and Boise, marking the first time the Gem State was included in such a cone since the National Hurricane Center began creating them in 2002.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2024
This suggests an above-average hurricane season that may rival the busiest years on record.
—Emma Bubola, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2024
This year's hurricane season forecast includes the highest number of hurricanes ever predicted.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
La Niña conditions, which are set to arrive this summer, decrease vertical wind shear and increase favorable conditions for hurricanes.
—Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2024
That’s a measure based on how long a storm says at the range of hurricane strength categories.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2024
Climate change and heavier trucks Many of the country’s older bridges are vulnerable to extreme weather events, such as earthquakes, hurricanes or elevated heat.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 30 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Lee County health officials earlier this month warned people that the post-hurricane environment – including warm, standing water – could pose a danger from the potentially deadly bacteria.
—From Usa Today Network and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 20 Oct. 2022
The rocket, known as the Space Launch System and standing 322 feet tall with its payload on top, appears to be pretty hurricane resistant.
—Kenneth Chang, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Nov. 2022
The disaster at the 12-story oceanfront condo building in Surfside drew the largest non-hurricane emergency response in Florida history, including rescue crews from across the U.S. and as far away as Israel to help local teams search for victims.
—CBS News, 28 Oct. 2022
DeSantis has been all over the state in the weeks since, announcing post-hurricane clean-up projects.
—David Jackson, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2022
In visiting Florida post-hurricane, President Joe Biden has found himself in the crosswinds of two potential 2024 re-election opponents, Former President Donald Trump and current Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 6 Oct. 2022
The onslaught of mental anguish and post-hurricane dangers can seem overwhelming.
—Holly Yan, CNN, 29 Sep. 2022
Puerto Ricans await aid and fret about post-hurricane recovery.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hurricane.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Articles Related to hurricane
Dictionary Entries Near hurricane
Cite this Entry
“Hurricane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hurricane. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
hurricane
noun
hur·ri·cane
ˈhər-ə-ˌkān,
-i-kən,
ˈhə-rə-,
ˈhə-ri-
: a cyclone formed in the tropics with winds of 74 miles (119 kilometers) per hour or greater that is usually accompanied by rain, thunder, and lightning
More from Merriam-Webster on hurricane
Nglish: Translation of hurricane for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of hurricane for Arabic Speakers
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