ball lightning

noun

1. a rare form of lightning, consisting of a bright, luminous ball that moves rapidly along objects or floats in the air.

ball lightning

noun

1. meteorol a luminous electrically charged ball occasionally seen during electrical storms

ball lightning

1. A rare form of lightning in the shape of a glowing red ball, associated with thunderstorms and sometimes accompanied by a loud noise. Ball lightning is thought to consist of ionized gas.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ball lightning¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

He returned to his adaptation of the Lawlor drive to the production of ball lightning.

From Project Gutenberg

This one mentioned the two mysterious explosions of "ball lightning" in a feature on the first page, but only as curiosities.

From Project Gutenberg

And the Zan pirates used ball lightning to force the surrender of their victims.

From Project Gutenberg

It was based on the fact that ball lightning could be generated by a circuit fundamentally akin to the other two.

From Project Gutenberg

A ball lightning bolt, even of only warning size, makes things uncomfortable when it strikes.

From Project Gutenberg