thunderstorm

[ thuhn-der-stawrm ]

noun

1. a transient storm of lightning and thunder, usually with rain and gusty winds, sometimes with hail or snow, produced by cumulonimbus clouds.

thunderstorm

/ ˈθʌndəˌstɔːm /

noun

1. a storm caused by strong rising air currents and characterized by thunder and lightning and usually heavy rain or hail

thunderstorm

/ thŭn′dər-stôrm′ /

1. A storm of heavy rain accompanied by lightning, thunder, wind, and sometimes hail. Thunderstorms occur when moist air near the ground becomes heated, especially in the summer, and rises, forming cumulonimbus clouds that produce precipitation. Electrical charges accumulate at the bases of the clouds until lightning is discharged. Air in the path of the lightning expands as a result of being heated, causing thunder. Thunderstorms can also be caused by temperature changes triggered by volcanic eruptions and forest fires, and they occur with much greater frequency at the equatorial regions than in polar regions.

Word History and Origins

Origin of thunderstorm¹

First recorded in 1645–55; thunder + storm

Example Sentences

“Even though the orchestra will be performing in semi-darkness, having a foley artist could be intriguing on a visual level. He will be playing the sounds of the bats flapping their wings — the rumbling thunderstorm, and the rain.”

From Los Angeles Times

“My mom was born in 1920, and she would talk about fire the same way you’d talk about a thunderstorm,” said Jesse Wimberley.

From Salon

The Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for much of the West of England until Wednesday.

From BBC

At the Coventry City match against Swansea, players were led temporarily off the pitch in the 63rd minute, because of a thunderstorm overhead.

From BBC

“It could be higher if a large thunderstorm develops in a certain area.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• deluge
• downpour
• drizzle
• flood
• hail
• rain
• rainstorm
• sleet
• storm