typhoon

/taɪˈfuːn/
noun★Intermediate— tropical cyclone
technical

A tropical cyclone occurring in the region of the Indian or western Pacific oceans.

Typhoon Hagibis made landfall in Japan in 2019.

A specific typhoon caused significant damage in Japan.

Meteorologists track typhoons using satellite imagery.

Weather experts monitor these storms with technology.

💡

In the North Atlantic and Northeast Pacific, the same weather phenomenon is called a 'hurricane.' In the Indian Ocean, it is called a 'cyclone.'

Collocations

typhoon warningofficial alert about an approaching typhoontyphoon seasonperiod of the year when typhoons are most likely to occurtyphoon damageharm or destruction caused by a typhoon

💡Pro Tip

Remembering the difference between typhoon, hurricane, and cyclone

Use the location to distinguish: typhoon (western Pacific), hurricane (Atlantic/Northeast Pacific), cyclone (Indian Ocean/Australia).

⚡Gold Rule

Typhoon vs. storm

A typhoon is a specific type of intense tropical cyclone with sustained winds of at least 74 mph (119 km/h). Not all storms are typhoons.

📖Word Origin

From Chinese 颱風 (taifēng), from 台 (tái, 'great') + 風 (fēng, 'wind'), via Portuguese tufão or Spanish tifón.

📝Usage Notes

Typhoon is commonly used in East and Southeast Asia. In English, it specifically refers to cyclones in the western Pacific Ocean.

English Dictionary