storm

¹

[ stawrm ]

noun

1. a disturbance of the normal condition of the atmosphere, manifesting itself by winds of unusual force or direction, often accompanied by rain, snow, hail, thunder, and lightning, or flying sand or dust.

   Synonyms: blizzard, wind, squall, cyclone, tornado, tempest, hurricane, gale

2. a heavy fall of rain, snow, or hail, or a violent outbreak of thunder and lightning, unaccompanied by strong winds.
3. Also called violent storm. Meteorology. a wind of 64–72 miles per hour (29–32 meters per second).
4. a violent military assault on a fortified place, strong position, or the like.
5. a heavy or sudden volley or discharge:

   a storm of criticism; a storm of bullets.

6. a violent disturbance of affairs, as a civil, political, social, or domestic commotion.
7. a violent outburst or outbreak of expression:

   a storm of applause.

8. Informal. storm window.

verb (used without object)

1. (of the wind or weather) to blow with unusual force, or to rain, snow, hail, etc., especially with violence (usually used impersonally with it as subject):

   It stormed all day.

2. to rage or complain with violence or fury:

   He stormed angrily at me.

3. to deliver a violent attack or fire, as with artillery:

   The troops stormed against the garrison.

4. to rush to an assault or attack:

   The tanks stormed towards the city.

5. to rush angrily:

   to storm out of a room.

verb (used with object)

1. to subject to or as if to a storm:

   The salesman stormed them with offers.

2. to utter or say with angry vehemence:

   The strikers stormed their demands.

3. to attack or assault (persons, places, or things):

   to storm a fortress.

Storm

²

[ shtohrm ]

noun

1. The·o·dore Wold·sen [tey, -aw-daw, r, , vawlt, -s, uh, n], 1817–88, German poet and novelist.

storm

/ stɔːm /

noun

1. 1. a violent weather condition of strong winds, rain, hail, thunder, lightning, blowing sand, snow, etc
   2. ( as modifier )

      storm signal

      storm sail

   3. ( in combination )

      stormproof

2. meteorol a violent gale of force 10 on the Beaufort scale reaching speeds of 55 to 63 mph
3. a strong or violent reaction

   a storm of protest

4. a direct assault on a stronghold
5. a heavy discharge or rain, as of bullets or missiles
6. short for storm window
7. storm in a teacup
   a violent fuss or disturbance over a trivial matter US equivalenttempest in a teapot
8. take by storm
   1. to capture or overrun by a violent assault
   2. to overwhelm and enthral

verb

1. to attack or capture (something) suddenly and violently
2. intr to be vociferously angry
3. intr to move or rush violently or angrily
4. intr; with it as subject to rain, hail, or snow hard and be very windy, often with thunder or lightning

storm

/ stôrm /

1. A low-pressure atmospheric disturbance resulting in strong winds accompanied by rain, snow, or other precipitation and often by thunder and lightning.
2. A wind with a speed from 103 to 117 km (64 to 73 mi) per hour, rating 11 on the Beaufort scale.

Derived Forms

• ˈstormˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• stormlike adjective
• outstorm verb (used with object)
• un·stormed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of storm¹

First recorded before 900; (noun) Middle English, Old English; cognate with Dutch storm, German Sturm, Old Norse stormr; (verb) Middle English stormen, derivative of the noun (compare obsolete sturme, Middle English sturmen, Old English styrman, denominative verb from the same Germanic base as storm ); akin to stir ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of storm¹

Old English, related to Old Norse stormr, German Sturm; see stir ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. storm in a teacup. teacup ( def 3 ).

More idioms and phrases containing storm

see any port in a storm ; kick up a fuss (storm) ; ride out (the storm) ; take by storm ; weather the storm .

Example Sentences

Expected to be one of the strongest storms in the northwest US in decades, the bomb cyclone knocked out power and downed trees across the region, on November 20, 2024.

From Salon

Now Dobbins’ bright smile is guiding the Chargers through the storm.

From Los Angeles Times

With a more detailed picture of what that wind field looks like, disaster authorities can better prepare for storms before they make landfall.

From Science Daily

Wastewater treatment plants are designed to take in thousands of gallons of wastewater from sanitary and storm sewer systems, and that water also carries a significant load of microplastics and PFAS.

From Science Daily

Military and police personnel had stormed Ghana's government buildings, seizing power from Nkrumah, who was away on a foreign trip.

From BBC

Related Words

• attack
• barrage
• bomb
• bombardment
• burst
• disturbance
• onslaught
• outbreak
• upheaval
• violence