tempest

[ tem-pist ]

noun

1. a violent windstorm, especially one with rain, hail, or snow.
2. a violent commotion, disturbance, or tumult.

verb (used with object)

1. to affect by or as by a tempest; disturb violently.

tempest

/ ˈtɛmpɪst /

noun

1. literary.
   a violent wind or storm
2. a violent commotion, uproar, or disturbance

verb

1. poetic.
   tr to agitate or disturb violently

Word History and Origins

Origin of tempest¹

1200–50; Middle English tempeste < Old French < Vulgar Latin *tempesta, for Latin tempestās season, weather, storm, equivalent to tempes- (variant stem of tempus time) + -tās -ty ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of tempest¹

C13: from Old French tempeste, from Latin tempestās storm, from tempus time

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

Example Sentences

He watched as one tempest swept away about $1 million in rides and other property in the span of 15 minutes.

From Los Angeles Times

And selling herself and her hospital to the camera crew, McLendon-Covey turns herself up high, a tempest of real and forced enthusiasm.

From Los Angeles Times

Is it just another tempest in a teapot?

From Salon

A decision by the owner of the Los Angeles Times not to endorse in the 2024 presidential race — after the paper’s editorial board proposed backing Kamala Harris — has created a tempest, prompting three members of the board to resign and provoking thousands of readers to cancel their subscriptions.

From Los Angeles Times

Sir Keir said he wanted to build on "progress" in talks on the Tempest jet programme, which he described as "really important".

From BBC

Related Words

• cyclone
• furor
• hurricane
• squall
• tornado
• tumult
• upheaval
• uproar
• windstorm