lightning

1 of 3

noun

light·​ning ˈlīt-niŋ 

1

: the flashing of light produced by a discharge of atmospheric electricity

also : the discharge itself

2

: a sudden stroke of fortune

candidates … hoping for real lightning to strike

—Time

lightning

2 of 3

adjective

: having or moving with or as if with the speed and suddenness of lightning

a lightning assault

lightning

3 of 3

verb

lightninged; lightning

intransitive verb

: to discharge a flash of lightning

Synonyms

Adjective

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

Examples of lightning in a Sentence

Adjective

thoughts moving at lightning speed

he made a lightning dash for the goal

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Here are tips on how to stay safe during a thunderstorm: To minimize risk of being struck by lightning, when going outside, have a plan to get to a safer place. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 May 2025

Most of us experience lightning storms from ground level. —Amanda Kooser, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025

Verb

The bar also has a basketball court — put in after a tree was struck by lightning and fell over into the parking lot. —Dallas News, 17 Oct. 2022

As art, the districts are a whimsical collection of fire-breathing dragons, lightning bolts and doodlebugs. —Dallas News, 3 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun, Adjective, and Verb

Middle English, from gerund of lightenen to lighten

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1576, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1861, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lightning

• at lightning speed
• ball lightning
• catch/capture lightning in a bottle
• heat lightning
• lightning arrester
• lightning bug
• lightning conductor
• lightning never strikes (the same place) twice
• lightning rod
• lightning strike
• like (greased) lightning
• sheet lightning
• white lightning

Kids Definition

lightning

1 of 2 noun

light·​ning ˈlīt-niŋ 

: the flashing of light produced by a discharge of atmospheric electricity from one cloud to another or between a cloud and the earth

also : the discharge itself

lightning

2 of 2 adjective

: moving or done with or as if with the speed of lightning