Definition of lightning Lightning

/lajˈtnɪŋ/ - [laytning] - light•ning

We found 17 definitions of lightning from 8 different sources.

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What does lightning mean?

WordNet

WordNet by Princeton University

Noun

Plural: lightning

lightning - the flash of light that accompanies an electric discharge in the atmosphere (or something resembling such a flash); can scintillate for a second or more
  flash a lamp for providing momentary light to take a photograph
  heat lightning bright flashes of light near the horizon without thunder (especially on hot evenings); usually attributed to distant lightning that is reflected by clouds
lightning - abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
  atmospheric electricity electrical discharges in the atmosphere
  chain lightning, forked lightning a form of lightning that moves rapidly in a zigzag path with one end divided (fork-like)
= synonym
= antonym
= related word

Wiktionary Wiktionary dictionary logo

  • lightning (Noun)
    A flash of light produced by short-duration, high-voltage discharge of electricity within a cloud, between clouds, or between a cloud and the earth.
  • lightning (Noun)
    A discharge of this kind.
  • lightning (Noun)
    Anything that moves very fast.
  • lightning (Noun)
    The act of making bright, or the state of being made bright; enlightenment; brightening, as of the mental powers.
  • lightning (Verb)
    To produce lightning.
  • lightning (Adjective)
    Extremely fast or sudden.
  • lightning (Adjective)
    Moving at the speed of lightning.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

  • lightning (n.)
    A discharge of atmospheric electricity, accompanied by a vivid flash of light, commonly from one cloud to another, sometimes from a cloud to the earth. The sound produced by the electricity in passing rapidly through the atmosphere constitutes thunder.
  • lightning (n.)
    The act of making bright, or the state of being made bright; enlightenment; brightening, as of the mental powers.
  • lightning (vb. n.)
    Lightening.

OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω

  • lightning
    The flash of light caused by the discharge of atmospheric electrical charge.

Electrical DictionaryThe Standard Electrical Dictionary 💡

  • lightning
    The electrostatic discharge to the earth or among themselves of clouds floating in the atmosphere. The discharge is accompanied by a spark or other luminous effect, which may be very bright and the effects, thermal and mechanical, are often of enormous intensity.

    The lightning flash is white near the earth, but in the upper regions where the air is rarefied it is of a blue tint, like the spark of the electric machine. The flashes are often over a mile in length, and sometimes are four or five miles long. They have sometimes a curious sinuous and often a branching shape, which has been determined by photography only recently. To the eye the shape seems zigzag.

    In the case of a mile-long flash it has been estimated that 3,516,480 De la Rue cells, q. v., would be required for the development of the potential, giving the flash over three and one-half millions of volts. But as it is uncertain how far the discharge is helped on its course by the rain drops this estimate may be too high.

    There are two general types of flash. The so-called zigzag flash resembles the spark of an electric machine, and is undoubtedly due to the disruptive discharge from cloud to earth. Sheet lightning has no shape, simply is a sudden glow, and from examination of the spectrum appears to be brush discharges (see Discharge, Brush) between clouds. Heat lightning is attributed to flashes below the horizon whose light only is seen by us. Globe or ball lightning takes the form of globes of fire, sometimes visible for ten seconds, descending from the clouds. On reaching the earth they sometimes rebound, and sometimes explode with a loud detonation. No adequate explanation has been found for them.

    The flash does not exceed one-millionth of a second in duration; its absolute light is believed to be comparable to that of the sun, but its brief duration makes its total light far less than that of the sun for any period of time.

    If the disruptive discharge passes through a living animal it is often fatal. As it reaches the earth it often has power enough to fuse sand, producing fulgurites, q. v. (See also Back Shock or Stroke of Lightning.)

    Volcanic lightning, which accompanies the eruptions of volcanoes, is attributed to friction of the volcanic dust and to vapor condensation.

    understood, but is thought to relate to charge separation in the vertical motion of water droplets and ice crystals in cloud updrafts. A lightning bolt carries a current of 40,000 to 120,000 amperes, and transfers a charge of about five coulombs. Nearby air is heated to about surface.]

Vulgar Tongue DictionaryDictionary of the Vulgar Tongue 👅

  • lightning
    Gin. A flash of lightning; a glass of gin.

Wikipedia Wiktionary dictionary logo

  • Lightning is a powerful electrical discharge produced during a thunderstorm. The electric current is very hot and causes the air around it to expand very quickly, which in turn makes thunder. Sometimes it happens between clouds. Sometimes (in the rain) it goes from cloud to ground. If it goes from cloud to ground, it can strike a person. Around 2000 people are struck by lightning each year.

    Benjamin Franklin was fascinated by lightning and its properties. His curiosity led to many important discoveries.

    Lightning is caused by static charges mainly positive and negative opposite charges coming and repelling each other.

Part of speech

🔤
  • lightning, verb, present, 1st person singular of lightning (infinitive).
  • lightning, verb (infinitive).
  • lightning, verb, gerund of lightning (infinitive).
  • lightning, noun, singular of lightnings.

Pronunciation

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Word frequency

Lightning is...

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Common
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Common

Sign Language

lightning in sign language
Sign language - letter L Sign language - letter L Sign language - letter I Sign language - letter I Sign language - letter G Sign language - letter G Sign language - letter H Sign language - letter H Sign language - letter T Sign language - letter T Sign language - letter N Sign language - letter N Sign language - letter I Sign language - letter I Sign language - letter N Sign language - letter N Sign language - letter G Sign language - letter G

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