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1lightning

noun light·ning \ˈlīt-niŋ\

: the flashes of light that are produced in the sky during a storm

Full Definition of LIGHTNING

1
:  the flashing of light produced by a discharge of atmospheric electricity; also :  the discharge itself
2
:  a sudden stroke of fortune
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Origin of LIGHTNING

Middle English, from gerund of lightenen to lighten
First Known Use: 13th century

Other Climate/Meteorology Terms

monsoon, occlusion, ozone, rime, squall, zephyr

2lightning

adjective

: moving or done very quickly

Full Definition of LIGHTNING

:  having or moving with or as if with the speed and suddenness of lightning <a lightning assault>
See lightning defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of LIGHTNING

1576

Related to LIGHTNING

Synonyms
blistering, breakneck, breathless, brisk, dizzy, fleet, fleet-footed, flying, galloping, hasty, hot, fast, nippy, quick, rapid, rapid-fire, rattling, snappy, speedy, splitting, swift, whirlwind, zippy
Antonyms
slow

3lightning

verb
light·ningedlightning

Definition of LIGHTNING

intransitive verb
:  to discharge a flash of lightning

First Known Use of LIGHTNING

1903

Other Climate/Meteorology Terms

monsoon, occlusion, ozone, rime, squall, zephyr
LIGHTNING[1] Defined for Kids

lightning

noun light·ning \ˈlīt-niŋ\

Definition of LIGHTNING for Kids

:  the flashing of light caused by the passing of electricity from one cloud to another or between a cloud and the earth

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