/ stɔːm; NAmE stɔːrm/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
very bad weather with strong winds and rain, and often thunder and lightning :
fierce / heavy / violent storms
A few minutes later the storm broke (= began) .
I think we're in for a storm (= going to have one) .
storm damage
➡ note at weather
2.
(in compounds) very bad weather of the type mentioned :
a thunderstorm / snowstorm / sandstorm
—see also electrical storm , rainstorm
3.
storm (of sth) a situation in which a lot of people suddenly express very strong feelings about sth :
a storm of protest
A political storm is brewing over the Prime Minister's comments.
4.
storm of sth a sudden loud noise that is caused by emotion or excitement
SYN roar :
a storm of applause
—see also brainstorm
•
IDIOMS
- a storm in a teacup
- take sth/sb by storm
—more at calm noun , port
■ verb
1.
to suddenly attack a place :
[ vn ]
Police stormed the building and captured the gunman.
[ v ]
Soldiers stormed into the city at dawn.
2.
[ v + adv. / prep. ] to go somewhere quickly and in an angry, noisy way :
She stormed into my office waving a newspaper.
He burst into tears and stormed off.
3.
[ v speech ] to say sth in a loud angry way :
'Don't you know who I am?' she stormed.
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch storm and German Sturm , probably also to the verb stir . The verb dates from late Middle English .