derecho

noun

de·​re·​cho də-ˈrā-(ˌ)chō How to pronounce derecho (audio)
plural derechos
: a large fast-moving complex of thunderstorms with powerful straight-line winds that cause widespread destruction

Examples of derecho 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.
In addition to the derecho, there were also tornadoes, including a 26-mile-long EF2 twister that touched down in Illinois and went into Indiana, according to the National Weather Service. — Phil Helsel, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026 Many communities like Gary have been in the dark for almost two weeks since the devastating derecho tore through. — Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 In July 2011, more than 860,000 ComEd customers were without power due to a derecho that hit the Midwest, according to the Chicago Tribune. — Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 The National Weather Service preliminarily identified the storm as a derecho, but said the analysis won't be final until sometime in 2027. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for derecho

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, straight (contrasted with tornado, taken to mean "turned"), from Latin directus — more at direct entry 1

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of derecho was in 1888

Rhymes for derecho

See All Rhymes for derecho

Browse Nearby Words

derechazo
derecho
deregulate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Derecho.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derecho. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

derecho

noun
de·​re·​cho
də-ˈrā-(ˌ)chō
plural derechos
: a large fast-moving complex of thunderstorms with powerful winds that move in a straight line and that cause widespread destruction
Etymology

from Spanish, "straight" (opposed to tornado, taken to mean "turned" in Spanish)

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of conscientious

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All