Waterspouts are a natural phenomenon that occurs over the water surface when a column of rotating cloud descends from a cumulonimbus. When the cloud combines with the water surface, it creates a funnel-shaped vortex that sucks water and debris up into the air. Different areas of the world have their synonyms for the word "waterspouts," such as spoutings, whirlygigs, cyclones, and spouts in the United States. In Australia, they are known as dust devils. In the Caribbean, they are referred to as "tornadoes over water." In Japan, they are termed "dragon spout," while in China, they are called "water dragons." Different synonyms reveal regional diversity.