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

Etymology

Origin of thunderstorm

First recorded in 1645–55; thunder + storm

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

thunderstorm thunderstorms

The fires have become so extreme they have created their own giant fire thunderstorm.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

While thunderstorms are common in the region of this fire, thunderstorm conditions after three successive heatwaves is a new combination.

From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026

Some worked 30-hour shifts in triple-digit heat and a flash heavy thunderstorm Friday evening as the celebration continued into the early hours of Saturday morning, keeping personnel on site through sunrise.

From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026

And, during the group stage here, France’s win over Iraq in Philadelphia was delayed for 2 hours and 11 minutes because of a major thunderstorm.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 3, 2026

He remembered how he had been instructed, even as a small boy back in his old place, to go indoors during a thunderstorm.

From "Messenger" by Lois Lowry

Thor for thunderstorms, shrieking Sirens to explain shipwrecks, the abduction of Persephone the reason behind the bleakness of winter.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

However, humidity and a risk of mountain and desert thunderstorms mean most residents won’t feel noticeable relief until Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026

Meanwhile, a series of quick downpours such as heavy summer showers or thunderstorms may appear to give large rainfall totals, but the rain falls faster than the soil can absorb it.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026

Total losses from U.S thunderstorms came to $30 billion, with insured losses at $22 billion, below the 10-year average, according to the reinsurer’s figures.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

That pretty much took the joy out of prancing around in thunderstorms.

From "A Mango-Shaped Space" by Wendy Mass

Related Words

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