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

When rainstorms pop up, they’re typically caused by localized convection due to uneven heating of the land – picture afternoon pop-up thunderstorms. —Shuang-Ye Wu, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025

The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above. —Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Dec. 2025

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, thunderstorms are less common in the winter, but thundersnow happens when lightning occurs during a snowstorm. —Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025

Periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms are projected around game time, likely impacting the way this crucial divisional matchup is played. —Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for thunderstorm

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

Kids Definition

thunderstorm

noun

thun·​der·​storm -ˌstȯ(ə)rm 

: a storm accompanied by lightning and thunder