typhoon

noun

ty·​phoon tī-ˈfün How to pronounce typhoon (audio)
Synonyms of typhoon
1
: a hurricane occurring especially in the region of the Philippines or the East and South China seas
2
: whirlwind sense 2a
a typhoon of activity

Examples of typhoon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The typhoon was just north of the main island of Okinawa with maximum winds of 144 kph (89 mph) as of Friday afternoon, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. — ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026 El Niño also typically yields a below average Atlantic hurricane season, while above average hurricane and typhoon activity takes place in the tropical Pacific Ocean. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026 The photograph shows a massive swirling typhoon in the Pacific Ocean. — Brett Tingley, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026 China set a record summer harvest, yet Beijing's own officials warn the far larger autumn crop faces floods, typhoons and abrupt swings between drought and deluge. — Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for typhoon

Word History

Etymology

alteration (influenced by Chin — Guangdong — daaih-fùng, from daaih big + fùng wind) of earlier touffon, from Arabic ṭūfān hurricane, from Greek typhōn violent storm

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of typhoon was in 1771

Rhymes for typhoon

See All Rhymes for typhoon

Browse Nearby Words

typhonic
typhoon
typhous
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Typhoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/typhoon. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

typhoon

noun
ty·​phoon tī-ˈfün How to pronounce typhoon (audio)
: a hurricane occurring in the region of the Philippines or the China Sea

More from Merriam-Webster on typhoon

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for typhoon

Nglish: Translation of typhoon for Spanish Speakers

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