lightning

[lahyt-ning]

noun

1. a brilliant electric spark discharge in the atmosphere, occurring within a thundercloud, between clouds, or between a cloud and the ground.

verb (used without object)

lightninged, lightning 

1. to emit a flash or flashes of lightning (often used impersonally with it as subject).

   If it starts to lightning, we'd better go inside.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling lightning, especially in regard to speed of movement: lightning speed.

   lightning flashes;

   lightning speed.

lightning

/ ˈlaɪtnɪŋ /

noun

1. a flash of light in the sky, occurring during a thunderstorm and caused by a discharge of electricity, either between clouds or between a cloud and the earth

2. (modifier) fast and sudden

   a lightning raid

lightning

1. A flash of light in the sky caused by an electrical discharge between clouds or between a cloud and the Earth's surface. The flash heats the air and usually causes thunder. Lightning may appear as a jagged streak, as a bright sheet, or in rare cases, as a glowing red ball.

lightning

1. An electrical discharge from clouds that have acquired an electrical charge, usually occurring during storms. (See thunder.)

Word History and Origins

Origin of lightning¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, variant of lightening; lighten ¹, -ing ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of lightning¹

C14: variant of lightening

A Closer Look

As storm clouds develop, the temperature at the top of the cloud becomes much cooler than that at the bottom. For reasons that scientists still do not understand, this temperature difference results in the accumulation of negatively charged particles near the base and positively charged particles near the top of the storm cloud. The negatively charged particles repel the electrons of atoms in nearby objects, such as the bases of other storm clouds or tall objects on the ground. Consequently, these nearby objects take on a positive charge. The difference in charge, or voltage, builds until an electric current starts to flow between the objects along a pathway of charged atoms in the air. The current flow heats up the air to such a degree that it glows, generating lightning. Initially, a bolt of lightning carrying a negative charge darts from one storm cloud to another or from a storm cloud to the ground, leaving the bottom of the cloud with a positive charge. In response, a second bolt (reverse lightning) shoots in the opposite direction (from the other storm cloud or the ground) as the mass of negative charges on it moves back to neutralize the positive charge on the bottom of the first cloud. The heat generated by the lightning causes the air to expand, in turn creating very large sound waves, or thunder.

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. catch lightning in a bottle. catch lightning in a bottle.

More idioms and phrases containing lightning

• like greased lightning
• quick as a wink (lightning)

Example Sentences

“It was hilarious and effective, and as fast as lightning that made its way around the Upper East Side chattering classes,” securities lawyer Richard Farley said of the ad.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Ten months after Assad was ousted from power last December, in a lightning rebel advance, mass graves are still being uncovered.

Read more on BBC

Left alone, chaparral typically burns every 30 to 130 years, historically due to lightning strikes.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Ecuador had taken the lead in the 24th minute when veteran striker Enner Valencia burst clear in a lightning counter-attack by the South Americans.

Read more on Barron's

Americans will observe Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday, a day that has become a lightning rod of controversy.

Read more on MarketWatch