Thunder vs. Lightning — What's the Difference?

Sound produced by the rapid expansion and contraction of air during a storm.

Visible bolt accompanying thunder.

Thunder is the sound caused by lightning. Depending upon the distance from and nature of the lightning, it can range from a long, low rumble (brontide) to a sudden, loud crack.

Fast equalizer of electrical charges between clouds and ground.

The crashing or booming sound produced by rapidly expanding air along the path of the electrical discharge of lightning.

Source of thunder.

A sound that resembles or suggests thunder.

Electrical discharge during a thunderstorm.

To produce thunder.

Lightning is a naturally occurring electrostatic discharge during which two electrically charged regions, both in the atmosphere or with one on the ground, temporarily equalize themselves, causing the instantaneous release of as much as one gigajoule of energy. This discharge may produce a wide range of electromagnetic radiation, from very hot plasma created by the rapid movement of electrons, to brilliant flashes of visible light in the form of black-body radiation.

To produce sounds like thunder.

An abrupt, discontinuous natural electric discharge in the atmosphere.

To move while making a loud noise

The visible flash of light accompanying such a discharge.

To utter loud, vociferous remarks or threats.

(Informal) A sudden, usually improbable stroke of fortune.

To express violently, commandingly, or angrily; roar.

To discharge a flash of lightning.

The loud rumbling, cracking, or crashing sound caused by expansion of rapidly heated air around a lightning bolt.

Moving or occurring with remarkable speed or suddenness.

A deep, rumbling noise resembling thunder.

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.

An alarming or startling threat or denunciation.

A discharge of this kind.

(obsolete) The discharge of electricity; a thunderbolt.

(figuratively) Anything that moves very fast.

(figuratively) The spotlight.

Rfv-sense|en}} {{obsolete form of lightening

(impersonal) To produce thunder; to sound, rattle, or roar, as a discharge of atmospheric electricity.

Extremely fast or sudden; moving (as if) at the speed of lightning.

(intransitive) To make a noise like thunder.

To produce lightning.

(ergative) To (make something) move very fast (with loud noise).

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.

To say (something) with a loud, threatening voice.

The act of making bright, or the state of being made bright; enlightenment; brightening, as of the mental powers.

To produce something with incredible power.

Lightening.

The sound which follows a flash of lightning; the report of a discharge of atmospheric electricity.

Abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light

The discharge of electricity; a thunderbolt.

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

Any loud noise; as, the thunder of cannon.

Bright flash in a storm system.

An alarming or statrling threat or denunciation.

To produce thunder; to sound, rattle, or roar, as a discharge of atmospheric electricity; - often used impersonally; as, it thundered continuously.

Fig.: To make a loud noise; esp. a heavy sound, of some continuance.

To utter violent denunciation.

To emit with noise and terror; to utter vehemently; to publish, as a threat or denunciation.

A deep prolonged loud noise

A booming or crashing noise caused by air expanding along the path of a bolt of lightning

Street names for heroin

Move fast, noisily, and heavily;

Utter words loudly and forcefully;

Be the case that thunder is being heard;

To make or produce a loud noise;

Auditory phenomenon associated with lightning.

Loud rumble or crack heard during storms.

Warning sign of nearby lightning.

Atmospheric event linked to electrical storms.

Thunder is the sound created by the rapid expansion and contraction of air surrounding a lightning bolt.

No, thunder is a byproduct of lightning and cannot occur without it.

Yes, if the lightning is too far away, you might not hear the thunder.

Lightning is the visible electrical discharge that occurs during a thunderstorm.

Light is faster, which is why we often see lightning before we hear thunder.

Thunder itself is not harmful but serves as a warning that lightning is nearby.

Yes, lightning can be directly harmful and even fatal.

Lightning is caused by an imbalance of electrical charges in the atmosphere.

A rough estimate is that every 5 seconds between the lightning and thunder equals about one mile distance.

"Heat lightning" refers to lightning from a distant storm, too far away to hear the accompanying thunder.

Thunder is caused by the rapid heating and cooling of air around a lightning bolt.

If you hear thunder, it's best to go indoors as lightning could strike.

No, they are specifically associated with thunderstorms.

It's rare but possible, often referred to as "thundersnow."

Many animals seem to be able to sense incoming storms and may act agitated.