thundercloud

Or thun·der·clouds

[thuhn-der-kloud]

noun

1. cumulonimbus.

thundercloud

/ ˈθʌndəˌklaʊd /

noun

1. a towering electrically charged cumulonimbus cloud associated with thunderstorms

2. anything that is threatening

thundercloud

1. See cumulonimbus

Word History and Origins

Origin of thundercloud¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; thunder + cloud

Example Sentences

With thunderclouds rolling in, McCormick suggested I get in touch with Kersti Muul, who has been tracking a pair of merlins in my part of the city, West Seattle.

Read more on Seattle Times

A honeybee swarm has as much electric charge as a thundercloud, and the insects’ mass movements in the atmosphere might even have some influence on the weather.

Read more on Scientific American

From plane windows, I have seen the Grand Canyon, the Alps, a comet, towering thunderclouds with lightning flashes, and many other wonders.

Read more on Washington Post

A thundercloud of media interest has hung over claims of a strained brotherly relationship, now conducted from different sides of the Atlantic.

Read more on BBC

“High ground temperature leads to evaporation from water bodies that adds moisture to the atmosphere. The presence of aerosols due to air pollution creates favorable conditions for thunderclouds to trigger lightning activity,” Gupta said.

Read more on Seattle Times