thun·der·storm (th n d r-stôrm )n. A transient, sometimes violent storm of thunder and lightning, often accompanied by rain and sometimes hail. |
thunderstorm [ˈθʌndəˌstɔːm]
n
(Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) a storm caused by strong rising air currents and characterized by thunder and lightning and usually heavy rain or hail
| thunderstorm (thndr-stôrm) 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. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  thunderstorm - a storm resulting from strong rising air currents; heavy rain or hail along with thunder and lightningstorm, violent storm - a violent weather condition with winds 64-72 knots (11 on the Beaufort scale) and precipitation and thunder and lightning |
Translations
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