thunder

American  

[thuhn-der] / ˈθʌn dər /

noun

1. a loud, explosive, resounding noise produced by the explosive expansion of air heated by a lightning discharge.

2. any loud, resounding noise.

   the thunder of applause.

3. a threatening or startling utterance, denunciation, or the like.

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verb (used without object)

1. to give forth thunder (often used impersonally with it as the subject).

   It thundered last night.

2. to make a loud, resounding noise like thunder.

   The artillery thundered in the hills.

3. to utter loud or vehement denunciations, threats, or the like.

4. to speak in a very loud tone.

5. to move or go with a loud noise or violent action.

   The train thundered through the village.

verb (used with object)

1. to strike, drive, inflict, give forth, etc., with loud noise or violent action.

idioms

1. steal someone's thunder,

   1. to use for one's own purposes and without the knowledge or permission of the originator the inventions or ideas of another.

   2. to ruin or detract from the effect of a performance, remark, etc., by anticipating it.

thunder British  

/ ˈθʌndə /

noun

1. a loud cracking or deep rumbling noise caused by the rapid expansion of atmospheric gases which are suddenly heated by lightning

2. any loud booming sound

3. rare a violent threat or denunciation

4. to detract from the attention due to another by forestalling him or her

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verb

1. to make (a loud sound) or utter (words) in a manner suggesting thunder

2. (intr; with it as subject) to be the case that thunder is being heard

3. (intr) to move fast and heavily

   the bus thundered downhill

4. (intr) to utter vehement threats or denunciation; rail

thunder Scientific  

/ thŭn′dər /

1. The explosive noise that accompanies a stroke of lightning. Thunder is a series of sound waves produced by the rapid expansion of the air through which the lightning passes. Sound travels about 1 km in 3 seconds (about 1 mi in 5 seconds). The distance between an observer and a lightning flash can be calculated by counting the number of seconds between the flash and the thunder.

2. See Note at lightning

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thunder Cultural  

1. The noise created when air rushes back into a region from which it has been expelled by the passage of lightning.

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thunder More Idioms  

1. see under steal someone's thunder.

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Other Word Forms

• outthunder
  verb (used with object)
• thunderer
  noun
• thunderless
  adjective
• thundery
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of thunder

before 900; (noun) Middle English thonder, thunder, Old English thunor; cognate with Dutch donder, German Donner; Old Norse thōrr Thor, literally, thunder; (v.) Middle English thondren, Old English thunrian, derivative of the v.; akin to Latin tonāre to thunder

Explanation

Thunder is the loud noise that comes right after lightning. It also can refer to a loud, booming sound, or mean to move heavily but quickly. Thunder is made up of the rumbles and cracks accompanying lightning during a thunderstorm. You can also use this word for other loud noises, like the thunder of a loud rock band or your uncle's booming voice. A powerful singer can be said to thunder, singing in a way that's as noisy and impressive as a thunderstorm. Thunder can also be used for big, fast movements, like a tank thundering across a field or a truck thundering down the highway.

Example Sentences

The Knicks’ next opponent is yet to be determined, as the San Antonio Spurs and the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder are still deadlocked in the Western Conference Finals.

From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026

The Knicks will now face either the San Antonio Spurs or the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals starting June 3.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

The Spurs and Thunder are so young, in fact, that many of their players haven’t even begun cashing in on their second NBA contracts.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026

The Lakers were already interviewing assistant general managers when the season ended in the Western Conference semifinals in a four-game sweep by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2026

“Because they never had to close Thunder Beach before the Coral Queen got here. They never had a problem with poop in the water until now,” I said.

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen

Related Words

• detonation
• explosion
• roar
• rumble