What (who) is thunder - definition
SOUND CAUSED BY A LIGHTNING STRIKE
Thundering; Clap of thunder; Äike; Brontology
![[[Cumulonimbus cloud]]s often form [[thunderstorm]]s.](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Anvil shaped cumulus panorama edit crop.jpg?width=200 "[[Cumulonimbus cloud]]s often form [[thunderstorm]]s.")
Thunder
The violent report which, as we hear it, succeeds the lightning flash in
stormy weather. It is really produced simultaneously with the lightning
and is supposed to arise from disturbance of the air by the discharge.
The rolling noise has been attributed to successive reflections between
clouds and earth, and to series of discharges reaching the ear from
different distances and through air of varying density. The subject is
obscure. By timing the interval from lightning flash to the report of
the thunder an approximate estimate of the distance of the seat of
discharge can be made. The first sound of the thunder should be timed.
An almost concurrence of thunder and lightning indicates immediate
proximity of the discharge.
[Transcriber's note: The speed of sound at sea level is about 5 seconds
per mile.]
thunder
(thunders, thundering, thundered)
1.
Thunder is the loud noise that you hear from the sky after a flash of lightning, especially during a storm.
...a distant clap of thunder.
N-UNCOUNT
2.
When it thunders, a loud noise comes from the sky after a flash of lightning.
The day was heavy and still. It would probably thunder later.
VERB: it V
3.
The thunder of something that is moving or making a sound is the loud deep noise it makes.
The thunder of the sea on the rocks seemed to blank out other thoughts...
= roar
N-UNCOUNT: N of n
4.
If something or someone thunders somewhere, they move there quickly and with a lot of noise.
A lorry thundered by.
VERB: V prep/adv
5.
If something thunders, it makes a very loud noise, usually continuously.
She heard the sound of the guns thundering in the fog.
...thundering applause.
= resound
VERB: V, V-ing
6.
If you thunder something, you say it loudly and forcefully, especially because you are angry. (WRITTEN)
'It's your money. Ask for it!' she thundered...
The Prosecutor looked toward Napoleon, waiting for him to thunder an objection.
= bellow
VERB: V with quote, V n
7.
If you steal someone's thunder, you get the attention or praise that they thought they would get, usually by saying or doing what they had intended to say or do.
He had no intention of letting the Foreign Secretary steal any of his thunder.
PHRASE: V inflects
thunder
n.
1) thunder booms, reverberates, roars, rolls
2) a clap, peal, roll of thunder (a deafening clap of thunder)
3) (misc.) to steal smb.'s thunder ('to do first what smb. else was going to do')
Wikipedia
Thunder
Thunder is the sound caused by lightning. Depending upon the distance from and nature of the lightning, it can range from a long, low rumble to a sudden, loud crack. The sudden increase in temperature and hence pressure caused by the lightning produces rapid expansion of the air in the path of a lightning bolt. In turn, this expansion of air creates a sonic shock wave, often referred to as a "thunderclap" or "peal of thunder". The scientific study of thunder is known as brontology and the irrational fear (phobia) of thunder is called brontophobia.
Pronunciation examples for thunder
1. We experience thunder -- thunder, thunder. Think, think, think.
ted-talks_103_EvelynGlennie_2003-320k
2. THUNDER LEVIN: First movie?
Sharks Through the Film Business _ Thunder Levin _ Talks at Google
3. THUNDER LEVIN: Wow.
Sharks Through the Film Business _ Thunder Levin _ Talks at Google
4. THUNDER LEVIN: OK.
Sharks Through the Film Business _ Thunder Levin _ Talks at Google
5. THUNDER LEVIN: Yep.
Sharks Through the Film Business _ Thunder Levin _ Talks at Google
Examples of use of thunder
1. There‘s the thunder, the first rumbles of thunder that I‘ve heard this evening.
2. New Thunder Horse delay BP announced a further delay at its Thunder Horse platform in the U.S.
3. Heavy rain began falling near midday and thunder rumbled.
4. Along the corridor is Wilmington, where trains thunder past homes.
5. The 20–minute downpour was accompanied by thunder.