What describes a waterspout?

A waterspout is best described as a rotating air column that occurs over a large body of water. This phenomenon is similar to a tornado but is typically associated with moisture and occurs over water rather than land. Waterspouts can be viewed as a tornado over water, forming when the conditions are right, such as warm, humid air rising in a cold environment. This rotation of the air column is essential in classifying it as a waterspout, as it indicates the dynamic, spiraling airflow that characterizes such weather phenomena.

The other options do not capture the essence of what a waterspout is. For instance, a funnel cloud over land would indicate the presence of a tornado, not a waterspout, and a tornado formed on dry land specifically refers to land-based tornado activity, which is distinctly different from the behavior of waterspouts. A static weather formation lacks the movement and rotation that define waterspouts. Hence, identifying the correct attributes associated with waterspouts demonstrates a better understanding of their dynamics and how they relate to other meteorological phenomena.