tempest

UK: /ˈtɛmpɪst/ US: /ˈtɛmpɪst/ ,(tem′pist)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

tem•pest /ˈtɛmpɪst/   n. [countable]

1. Meteorology a violent windstorm.
2. a violent argument, commotion, or disturbance.

Idioms

3. Idioms tempest in a teacup or teapot, an uproar or great argument over something small, minor, or unimportant.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

tem•pest  (tem′pist), n. 

1. Meteorology a violent windstorm, esp. one with rain, hail, or snow.
2. a violent commotion, disturbance, or tumult.
3. tempest in a teacup. See teacup (def. 3).

v.t. 

4. to affect by or as by a tempest;
   disturb violently.

• Vulgar Latin *tempesta, for Latin tempestās season, weather, storm, equivalent. to tempes- (variant stem of tempus time) + -tās -ty²
• Old French
• Middle English tempeste 1200–50

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

tempest / ˈtɛmpɪst/ noun

1. a violent wind or storm
2. a violent commotion, uproar, or disturbance

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French tempeste, from Latin tempestās storm, from tempus time

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

Tempest, The, 

1. Literature a comedy (1611) by Shakespeare.