typhoon

noun

ty·​phoon tī-ˈfün How to pronounce typhoon (audio)
Synonyms of typhoon
1
: a hurricane occurring especially in the region of the Philippines or the East and South China seas
2
: whirlwind sense 2a
a typhoon of activity

Examples of typhoon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
According to the Institute for the Study of War, China earlier this month used a typhoon in the region to try to test MSA control of ships in the area. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 China’s Guangxi province, which was devastated by a typhoon in early July, said a month later that more than 150 people had died. — Niranjan Shrestha, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 Scientists rescued 34 endangered humped tree snails from Guam by collecting them in empty peanut butter jars ahead of a powerful typhoon. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026 An active typhoon season continues to slam China’s east coast, again disrupting operations at two of the world’s largest container gateways. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for typhoon

Word History

Etymology

alteration (influenced by Chin — Guangdong — daaih-fùng, from daaih big + fùng wind) of earlier touffon, from Arabic ṭūfān hurricane, from Greek typhōn violent storm

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of typhoon was in 1771

Rhymes for typhoon

See All Rhymes for typhoon

Browse Nearby Words

typhonic
typhoon
typhous
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Typhoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/typhoon. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

typhoon

noun
ty·​phoon tī-ˈfün How to pronounce typhoon (audio)
: a hurricane occurring in the region of the Philippines or the China Sea

More from Merriam-Webster on typhoon

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