waterspout

noun

wa·ter·spout | \ ˈwȯ-tər-ˌspau̇t

, ˈwä-\

Definition of waterspout

1 : a pipe, duct, or orifice from which water is spouted or through which it is carried

2 : a funnel-shaped or tubular column of rotating cloud-filled wind usually extending from the underside of a cumulus or cumulonimbus cloud down to a cloud of spray torn up by the whirling winds from the surface of an ocean or lake

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about waterspout

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Examples of waterspout in a Sentence

the waterspout became clogged, and then the roof leaked

Recent Examples on the Web

Image of the waterspout that was over Mobile bay that prompted the tornado warning in Baldwin County. — Leigh Morgan, al.com, "Tornado watch issued for part of south Alabama; large waterspout spotted," 6 June 2019 The National Weather Service said 2-4 inches of rain will be possible for parts of South Florida, and forecasters will be on the lookout for rotating storms that could produce tornadoes or waterspouts. — Leigh Morgan, al, "Tropical depression could form this weekend in central Atlantic," 1 Aug. 2019 See full details below pic.twitter.com/NaHObq6hlM — NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) July 24, 2019 The waterspout moved onshore at 11:57 a.m., and the tornado moved in a northeast direction at about 35 miles per hour, meteorologists said. — Danny Mcdonald, BostonGlobe.com, "Two tornadoes touched down on Cape Cod on Tuesday, forecasters say," 24 July 2019 Then, the captain alerted the team that a waterspout—or a tornado that whirls over water—was forming off the port bow. — Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, "Watch First Footage of Giant Squid Filmed in American Waters," 24 June 2019 Minutes later, twenty-two miles and more to sea, towering waterspouts marked the landing places of the great projectiles, crammed with high explosives. — Scott Harrison, latimes.com, "From the Archives: 14-inch railroad guns fired near Oceanside," 11 June 2019 The typical waterspout will have winds of 30-40 mph, according to the weather service. — Leigh Morgan, al.com, "Another waterspout sighted — this one near Dauphin Island," 5 June 2019 Prany turned on all the waterspouts, the showerhead, and the faucet. — Paul Yoon, Harper's magazine, "Run Me to Earth," 10 Mar. 2019 Scientists believe that tornadoes over water — known as waterspouts — could be responsible for sucking fish into the air where they are blown around until being released to the ground. — Michelle Gant, Fox News, "Utah Department of Wildlife drops fish from plane for 'extreme restocking' of lake," 30 Aug. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'waterspout.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for waterspout

waterspout

noun

English Language Learners Definition of waterspout

: a pipe or tube for water to pass through

: an opening through which water flows

: an area of rapidly spinning wind in the shape of a funnel or tube that forms between a cloud and the surface of an ocean or lake

See the full definition for waterspout in the English Language Learners Dictionary

waterspout

noun

wa·ter·spout | \ ˈwȯ-tər-ˌspau̇t

, ˈwä-\

Kids Definition of waterspout

1 : a pipe for carrying off water from a roof

2 : a slender cloud that is shaped like a funnel and extends down to a cloud of spray torn up from the surface of a body of water by a whirlwind

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waterspout

Definition of waterspout

Synonyms for waterspout

Examples of waterspout in a Sentence

First Known Use of waterspout

English Language Learners Definition of waterspout

Kids Definition of waterspout

waterspout

Definition of waterspout

Synonyms for waterspout

Examples of waterspout in a Sentence

First Known Use of waterspout

English Language Learners Definition of waterspout

Kids Definition of waterspout

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