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

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

Increased risk of strong/severe thunderstorms across SW California tonight/Tue morning, capable of local damaging wind gusts of 60 mph+ brief heavy downpours+small hail.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Severe thunderstorms could also bring more intense downpours in some places, as well as heavy winds that could take down trees and power lines, forecasters cautioned.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

There’s also a chance of thunderstorms and strong and gusty winds.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The chance of thunderstorms is 10% to 20%, with a “remote risk” for severe storms with strong winds or a tornado.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The heat not only sends players gasping for water bottles, it also brings along unpredictable thunderstorms that pose a risk to anyone inside a stadium.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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