thunder

1 of 3

noun (1)

thun·​der ˈthən-dər 

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

: bang, rumble

the thunder of big guns

3

: a loud utterance or threat

thunder

2 of 3

verb

thundered; thundering ˈthən-d(ə-)riŋ 

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

2

: roar, shout

transitive verb

1

: to utter loudly : roar

2

: to strike with a sound likened to thunder

thunderer

ˈthən-dər-ər 

noun

thunderer

3 of 3

noun (2)

thun·​der·​er ˈthənd(ə)rə(r) 

plural -s

: one that thunders

a continuous editorial thunderer against stream pollution

—K. S. Dixon

Synonyms of thunder

Verb

• roar
• growl

Examples of thunder in a Sentence

Noun (1)

Her dog is afraid of thunder.

Lightning flashed and thunder boomed.

Suddenly there was a loud clap of thunder.

We could hear the rumble of thunder in the distance.

the thunder of horses' hooves

the distant thunder of cannon fire

She accepted the award to a thunder of applause.

Verb

The sky thundered and the rain poured down.

It was raining and thundering all night.

Guns thundered in the distance.

Horses thundered down the road.

Trucks thundered past on the highway.

“How dare you come into my house!” he thundered.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Wait for 30 minutes after the final lightning or thunder before heading outside again. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2026

Nevertheless, intermittent thunder and lightning didn't stop the crowd from gathering around the building to watch the spectacle, not unlike a big crowd before a typical concert venue. —Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 12 June 2026

Verb

This question was answered in the thundering affirmative by two groups of late-19th-century Protestant social activists whose retail legacies continue, even now, to thrive across all 50 states. —Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026

In the massive stadium in Inglewood, usually home to football games, the stands thundered with the roar of fans, with 70,492 in attendance. —CBS News, 12 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English thoner, thunder, from Old English thunor; akin to Old High German thonar thunder, Latin tonare to thunder

Noun (2)

Middle English thonderere, from thonderen to thunder + -ere -er

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing thunder

• a face like thunder
• steal one's thunder
• steal someone's thunder
• thunder egg
• thunder lizard

Rhymes for thunder

• blunder
• bunder
• funder
• plunder
• sunder
• under
• asunder

Kids Definition

thunder

1 of 2 noun

thun·​der ˈthən-dər 

1

: the loud sound that follows a flash of lightning

2

: a noise like thunder

thunder

2 of 2 verb

thundered; thundering -d(ə-)riŋ 

1

a

: to produce thunder

b

: to produce a sound like thunder

horses thundered down the road

2

: to utter loudly

the people thundered their approval

thunderer

-dər-ər 

noun