thunderclap

noun

thun·​der·​clap ˈthən-dər-ˌklap How to pronounce thunderclap (audio)
1
: a clap of thunder
2
: something sharp, loud, or sudden like a clap of thunder

Examples of thunderclap in a Sentence

I was awakened by a thunderclap. awakened by the thunderclap of a large branch falling on the roof
Recent Examples on the Web Would Holmes' thunderclap insights resonate without that sturdy Watsonian sounding board? Ew Staff Updated, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024 Counting seconds between a lightning flash and thunderclap is how anyone can tell how far away a thunderstorm is. IEEE Spectrum, 15 Jan. 2024 The magazine’s extremely profitable swimsuit issue arrived like a cultural thunderclap year after year. Kevin Draper, New York Times, 28 Nov. 2023 These dark clouds and thunderclaps — even interspersed with the occasional roar of an Israeli fighter jet — would usually be a celebratory moment for this family of farmers, an essential lifesource for their olive groves in this otherwise desiccated uplands. Alexander Smith, NBC News, 3 Nov. 2023 On the podcast, anytime someone says the name of the podcast a thunderclap sound effect gets played. Todd Spangler, Variety, 30 Aug. 2023 From footsteps to thunderclaps, little is heard on set other than the actors’ dialogue. Lisa Rosen, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2023 Silence is integral to our everyday experience: the awkward pause in a conversation, the second after a thunderclap, the moment after a piece of music ends before the applause begins. Shayla Love, Scientific American, 10 July 2023 The couple warmly recalled hosting enthralled visitors, listening to the waves crash against the ledges like thunderclaps during storms, and looking for blooming flowers during their daily walks. Shannon Larson, BostonGlobe.com, 12 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thunderclap.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of thunderclap was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near thunderclap

Cite this Entry

“Thunderclap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thunderclap. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

thunderclap

noun
thun·​der·​clap -ˌklap How to pronounce thunderclap (audio)
1
: a clap of thunder
2
: something sharp, loud, or sudden like a clap of thunder

More from Merriam-Webster on thunderclap

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