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thunder

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The definition of thunder is a loud rumbling sound that follows a flash of lightning, and is caused by the heating of air in an electrical discharge.

(noun)

An example of thunder is the sound that happens after a strike of lightning during an electrical storm.

See thunder in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the sound that follows a flash of lightning, caused by the sudden heating and expansion of air by electrical discharge
any loud, rumbling sound like this
a threatening, menacing, or extremely vehement utterance
Archaic a thunderbolt

Also thunderation

Origin: ME thuner, thunder (with unhistoric -d-) < OE thunor, akin to Ger donner < IE base *(s)ten-, loud rustling, deep noise > ON Thorr, Thor, Gr stenein, to moan, L tonare, to thunder

intransitive verb

to produce thunder: usually in the impersonal construction [it is thundering]
to make, or move with, a sound like thunder
to make vehement speeches, denunciations, etc.

transitive verb

to say in a thundering voice
to strike, drive, etc. with the sound or violence of thunder

Related Forms:

thunderer noun

See thunder in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The crashing or booming sound produced by rapidly expanding air along the path of the electrical discharge of lightning.
A sound that resembles or suggests thunder.

verb thun·dered, thun·der·ing, thun·ders

verb, intransitive