waterspout

[ waw-ter-spout, wot-er- ]

noun

1. Also called rain·spout [reyn, -spout]. a pipe running down the side of a building to carry away water from the gutter of the roof:

   Don’t expect the waterspouts to function effectively if the gutters are clogged with leaves and other debris.

2. a spout, duct, or the like, from which water is discharged:

   The extendable waterspout can be attached to a bucket, making a better watering can than any that we’ve tried.

3. Meteorology. Also called fair-weath·er wa·ter·spout [fair, -we, th, -er]. a funnel-shaped column laden with mist and spray that develops on the surface of a body of water and climbs upward to the cloud that has spawned it: usually formed during conditions of light winds, fair-weather waterspouts have little lateral movement and are not normally accompanied by thunderstorms.
4. Meteorology. Also called tor·na·dic wa·ter·spout [tawr-, nad, -ik]. a tornado that forms in a downward direction over a body of water, typically during a severe thunderstorm and often accompanied by high winds, dangerous water turbulence, and large hail: although tornadic waterspouts tend to dissipate rapidly upon landfall, they may occasionally move inland.

waterspout

/ ˈwɔːtəˌspaʊt /

noun

1. meteorol
   1. a tornado occurring over water that forms a column of water and mist extending between the surface and the clouds above
   2. a sudden downpour of heavy rain
2. a pipe or channel through which water is discharged, esp one used for drainage from the gutters of a roof

Word History and Origins

Origin of waterspout¹

First recorded in 1350–1400 and in 1730–40 waterspout fordefs 3, 4; Middle English; water, spout

Example Sentences

The strong winds which accompanied the storm cloud began to swirl above the Brisbane River at Kangaroo Point, causing a short-lived waterspout, the name for a tornado over a body of water.

From BBC

That contradicted previous reports that had identified the cause as a waterspout, or mini tornado at sea.

From BBC

Like tornadoes, waterspouts develop when differing wind directions cause the air in part of a storm cloud to rotate, forming a column of rapidly spinning air that descends down to the surface of the ocean.

From BBC

He said it can be confused with tornadoes or waterspouts because the damage caused can be similar.

From BBC

It was previously believed the vessel may have sunk because of a waterspout, but the Italian Air Force has now confirmed the most likely cause was a localised, powerful wind known as a downburst.

From BBC

Related Words

• whirlpool