First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1thunder
noun thun·der \ˈthən-dər\
: the very loud sound that comes from the sky during a storm : the sound that follows a flash of lightning
: a loud noise that sounds like thunder
Full Definition of THUNDER
1
: the sound that follows a flash of lightning and is caused by sudden expansion of the air in the path of the electrical discharge
2
: a loud utterance or threat
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Origin of THUNDER
Middle English thoner, thunder, from Old English thunor; akin to Old High German thonar thunder, Latin tonare to thunder
2thunder
verb
: to produce thunder
: to make a loud sound like the sound of thunder
: to move in a way that makes a very loud sound
thun·deredthun·der·ing \-d(ə-)riŋ\
Full Definition of THUNDER
intransitive verb
1
a : to produce thunder —usually used impersonally <it thundered> b : to give forth a sound that resembles thunder <horses thundered down the road>
transitive verb
1
: to utter loudly : roar
2
: to strike with a sound likened to thunder
— thun·der·er \-dər-ər\ noun
See thunder defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of THUNDER
before 12th century
THUNDER Defined for Kids
1thunder
noun thun·der \ˈthən-dər\
Definition of THUNDER for Kids
1
: the loud sound that follows a flash of lightning
2
: a loud noise <the thunder of drums>
2thunder
verb
thun·deredthun·der·ing
Definition of THUNDER for Kids
1
: to produce thunder
2
: to make a loud sound
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