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 Hiaasen
A 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
The 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
2
: something resembling a hurricane especially in its turmoil
A rushing hurricane of blows struck him as he stood up.—Donn Byrne
: having or being a glass chimney (see chimney sense 4) providing protection from wind
a hurricane lamp
Cite this Entry
“Hurricane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hurricane. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.
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