storm

/stɔrm/

/stɔm/

Other forms: storms; stormed; storming

A storm is what happens when the earth's atmosphere is disturbed. If the weather report says that a storm is on the way, you might want to carry an umbrella — or just stay at home and watch movies.

Storms range from the windstorm that blows branches off your tree to the snowstorm that buries your neighborhood under two feet of the white stuff. It's a verb too: "It began to storm outside, and the rain beat down on the windows." Figuratively, you might even storm angrily: "My sister was so mad that she stormed around her room, kicking things." Something controversial can also cause a figurative storm, or uproar.

Definitions of storm

1. noun

   a violent weather condition with winds 64-72 knots (11 on the Beaufort scale) and precipitation and thunder and lightning
   synonyms: violent storm

   types:

   firestorm

   a storm in which violent winds are drawn into the column of hot air rising over a severely bombed area

   nor'easter, northeaster

   a storm blowing from the northeast

   hailstorm

   a storm during which hail falls

   ice storm, silver storm

   a storm with freezing rain that leaves everything glazed with ice

   rainstorm

   a storm with rain

   blizzard, snowstorm

   a storm with widespread snowfall accompanied by strong winds

   electric storm, electrical storm, thunderstorm

   a storm resulting from strong rising air currents; heavy rain or hail along with thunder and lightning

   windstorm

   a storm consisting of violent winds

   cyclone

   a violent rotating windstorm

   dust storm, duster, sandstorm

   a windstorm that lifts up clouds of dust or sand

   equinoctial storm, line storm

   a violent rainstorm near the time of an equinox

   thundershower

   a short rainstorm accompanied by thunder and lightning

   tempest

   a strong storm with violent winds

   whirlwind

   a more or less vertical column of air whirling around itself as it moves over the surface of the Earth

   type of:

   atmospheric phenomenon

   a physical phenomenon associated with the atmosphere
2. noun

   a violent commotion or disturbance
   “the storms that had characterized their relationship had died away”

   synonyms: maelstrom, tempest

   type of:

   commotion, disruption, disturbance, flutter, hoo-ha, hoo-hah, hurly burly, kerfuffle, to-do

   a disorderly outburst or tumult
3. noun

   a direct and violent assault on a stronghold
   type of:

   assault

   close fighting during the culmination of a military attack
4. verb

   blow hard
   “It was storming all night”

   type of:

   blow

   be blowing or storming
5. verb

   rain, hail, or snow hard and be very windy, often with thunder or lightning
   “If it storms, we'll need shelter”
6. verb

   behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
   synonyms: rage, ramp

   type of:

   act, behave, do

   behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself
7. verb

   attack by storm; attack suddenly
   synonyms: surprise

   type of:

   assail, attack

   launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with
8. verb

   take by force
   “Storm the fort”

   synonyms: force

   type of:

   penetrate, perforate

   pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance