hurricane warning: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low in general discourse, but high in specific contexts (meteorology, news, coastal regions during storm season).Technical/Formal, Official, Media.
Quick answer
What does “hurricane warning” mean?
An official announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph / 119 km/h or higher) are expected somewhere within a specified coastal area within the next 36 hours.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An official announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph / 119 km/h or higher) are expected somewhere within a specified coastal area within the next 36 hours.
A formal alert issued by meteorological authorities (like the National Hurricane Center in the US or the Met Office in the UK) advising people in a designated area to complete all storm preparations and evacuate if directed. It also triggers the activation of emergency response plans.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is predominantly used in American English contexts, as hurricanes most frequently affect the US and Caribbean. In British English, the term is used but is often reported in international news; for UK-specific storms, 'severe gale warning' or 'storm warning' for systems like ex-hurricanes might be more common.
Connotations
In the US, it carries immediate, practical urgency due to direct experience. In the UK, it often has a more distant, newsworthy connotation unless related to a storm affecting British overseas territories.
Frequency
Far more frequent in American English media and public discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “hurricane warning” in a Sentence
The [Authority] issued a hurricane warning for [Region].A hurricane warning is [in effect/active] for [Region].[Region] is under a hurricane warning.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hurricane warning” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The Met Office warned residents that the storm could hurricane-force winds.
- (Note: 'hurricane' is not typically used as a verb; 'to warn of a hurricane' is correct.)
American English
- The Governor urged people to heed the hurricane warning. (No verb form for 'hurricane' in this context.)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form. 'Warningly' does not collocate with 'hurricane'.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- The hurricane-warning system in the Caribbean is sophisticated.
- They are in a hurricane-warning zone.
American English
- Hurricane-warning flags were flying at the marina.
- Follow the hurricane-warning protocols.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The port's operations are suspended due to the hurricane warning."
Academic
"The study analyzed public compliance rates following hurricane warning issuances."
Everyday
"We need to board up the windows; there's a hurricane warning."
Technical
"The NHC has issued hurricane warning HN-47, valid for zones A through D."
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hurricane warning”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hurricane warning”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hurricane warning”
- Using 'hurricane warning' and 'hurricane watch' interchangeably (the 'watch' is less urgent).
- Saying 'warning of a hurricane' instead of the fixed compound noun 'hurricane warning'.
- Capitalising it incorrectly outside official titles (e.g., 'The Hurricane Warning was issued' vs 'A hurricane warning was issued').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Complete all preparations immediately. Secure your property, follow evacuation orders if given, and move to a safe shelter. Do not wait for conditions to deteriorate.
A 'watch' means possible hurricane conditions within 48 hours—time to prepare. A 'warning' means expected conditions within 36 hours—time to act and seek shelter.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC), part of the National Weather Service, is responsible for issuing hurricane warnings for the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific basins.
Yes, primarily for coastal areas, but warnings can be extended inland for expected high winds, flooding, and tornadoes spawned by the hurricane.
An official announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph / 119 km/h or higher) are expected somewhere within a specified coastal area within the next 36 hours.
Hurricane warning is usually technical/formal, official, media. in register.
Hurricane warning: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhʌr.ɪ.kən ˈwɔː.nɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɝː.ə.keɪn ˈwɔːr.nɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To sound the alarm (figurative for giving urgent warning)”
- “A storm is brewing (figurative for impending trouble)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a HURrying CAN of warning sirens – a 'hurricane warning' means the storm is HURRYing and you CAN hear the warnings.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY AS PARENT (issuing a dire caution to protect the public), IMPENDING DISASTER AS A PREDATOR (requiring immediate defensive action).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary implication of a hurricane warning being issued?