thunderstorm

American  

[thuhn-der-stawrm] / ˈθʌn dərˌstɔrm /

noun

• thunderstorms
  plural

1. a transient storm of lightning and thunder, usually with rain and gusty winds, sometimes with hail or snow, produced by cumulonimbus clouds.

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thunderstorm British  

/ ˈθʌndəˌstɔːm /

noun

1. a storm caused by strong rising air currents and characterized by thunder and lightning and usually heavy rain or hail

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thunderstorm Scientific  

/ thŭn′dər-stôrm′ /

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.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• thunderstorms
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of thunderstorm

First recorded in 1645–55; thunder + storm

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

thunderstorm thunderstorms

As the plane flew over Florida’s east coast, a thunderstorm was growing in intensity.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026

As the plane crossed to Florida’s east coast, a thunderstorm in its path was growing in intensity.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026

Farther south in San Diego County, temperatures in inland coastal valleys hovered between 105 and 110 degrees and a thunderstorm in the Pauma Valley produced 50 mph winds.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2026

The Met Office yellow thunderstorm warning covers a large swathe of England and Wales.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

She knew it was dumb to sit under a tree during a thunderstorm, but this felt kind of perfect too.

From "Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World" by Ashley Herring Blake

India's weather department had issued an orange alert for the area, warning of thunderstorms, hail and strong winds.

From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026

The light from occasional thunderstorms often provides the only illumination.

From Barron's ● Sep. 26, 2026

The findings suggest that thunderstorms developing near the lower level circulation may play a more active role in storm organization than simply serving as a visible sign that strengthening is underway.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 20, 2026

Precipitation peaks in winter, potentially bringing flooding and coastal erosion to California and severe thunderstorms to Gulf states.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

Thanks to severe thunderstorms, I spent the whole flight gripping my seat, worrying that I was going to plummet to my death.

From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez

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Related Words

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

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