thunderstorm

noun

thun·​der·​storm ˈthən-dər-ˌstȯrm 

: a storm accompanied by lightning and thunder

Examples of thunderstorm in a Sentence

There are thunderstorms in the forecast.

The weather service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning.

Recent Examples on the Web

Lightning sparked a fire at a home in Abington, Massachusetts, as a strong thunderstorm moved through the area Friday morning. — Logan Hall, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026

Localized thunderstorms are possible on Friday afternoon with a 16% chance of thundershowers. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 6 Nov. 2026

While the plane was near Florida’s Gulf Coast, less than 20 minutes before the crash, an air traffic controller warned that the turn they’d requested toward the Bahamas could take them into a thunderstorm. — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026

While some showers and a few thunderstorms were expected, there was little warning before several high-end flood events. — Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 5 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for thunderstorm

• chloroform
• coliform
• cribriform
• cruciform
• filiform
• fusiform
• isoform
• microform
• multiform
• outperform
• piriform
• plexiform

Kids Definition

thunderstorm

noun

thun·​der·​storm -ˌstȯ(ə)rm 

: a storm accompanied by lightning and thunder