Definition

1. Noun:
   • A channel or pipe for discharging water, especially from a roof gutter: A "waterspout" is a conduit designed to carry rainwater away from a building's roof.
   • A sudden, very heavy downpour of rain: A "waterspout" can describe an intense, torrential rainfall.
   • A tornado or whirlwind occurring over a body of water, drawing up a column of water and spray: A "waterspout" is a funnel-shaped vortex that forms over water, connecting a cumuliform cloud to the water's surface.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Drainage channel):
  • The old house had a copper waterspout directing water from the roof into a barrel.
  • A clogged waterspout caused water to overflow from the gutter.
• Noun (Heavy rain):
  • We were caught in a sudden waterspout and got completely drenched.
  • The forecast warned of possible waterspouts in the afternoon.
• Noun (Tornado over water):
  • The sailors spotted a waterspout forming off the coast and quickly changed course.
  • Waterspouts are common in tropical regions during the summer months.

Advanced Usage

• "Marine waterspout": A term often used to specify a tornado-like vortex over the sea or ocean.
  • The marine waterspout dissipated before it reached the shore.
• "Fair-weather waterspout": A type of waterspout that forms under developing cumulus clouds, generally less intense than tornadic waterspouts.
  • Fair-weather waterspouts are usually not associated with severe thunderstorms.

Variants and Related Words

• Spout (noun/verb): A projecting tube or lip for pouring liquid; to discharge liquid in a stream.
  • The spout of the teapot is chipped.
  • The volcano began to spout ash and lava.
• Downspout (noun): A pipe for carrying rainwater from a roof gutter to the ground or a drain (a specific type of waterspout).
  • The downspout directs water away from the house's foundation.

Synonyms

• For drainage channel: Downpipe, drainpipe, leader, spout.
• For heavy rain: Cloudburst, deluge, torrent, downpour.
• For tornado over water: Tornadic waterspout, marine vortex.

Related Phrases

• "To go down the spout" (idiom, informal): To be wasted, ruined, or lost.
  • All our savings went down the spout after the car repair.
• "Up the spout" (idiom, informal, chiefly British): Ruined, broken, or in a hopeless state; also can mean pregnant.
  • My plans for the weekend are completely up the spout now.

Noun

1. a channel through which water is discharged (especially one used for drainage from the gutters of a roof)
2. a heavy rain
3. a tornado passing over water and picking up a column of water and mist