Thunder vs. Storm — What's the Difference?

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.

A storm is any disturbed state of an environment or in an astronomical body's atmosphere especially affecting its surface, and strongly implying severe weather. It may be marked by significant disruptions to normal conditions such as strong wind, tornadoes, hail, thunder and lightning (a thunderstorm), heavy precipitation (snowstorm, rainstorm), heavy freezing rain (ice storm), strong winds (tropical cyclone, windstorm), or wind transporting some substance through the atmosphere as in a dust storm, blizzard, sandstorm, etc.

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

An atmospheric disturbance manifested in strong winds accompanied by rain, snow, or other precipitation and often by thunder and lightning.

A sound that resembles or suggests thunder.

A wind with a speed from 48 to 55 knots (55 to 63 miles per hour; 89 to 102 kilometers per hour), according to the Beaufort scale. Also called whole gale.

To produce thunder.

A heavy shower of objects, such as bullets or missiles.

To produce sounds like thunder.

A strong or violent outburst, as of emotion or excitement

To move while making a loud noise

A violent disturbance or upheaval, as in political, social, or domestic affairs

To utter loud, vociferous remarks or threats.

A violent, sudden attack on a fortified place.

To express violently, commandingly, or angrily; roar.

A storm window.

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

To blow with strong winds and usually produce copious rain, snow, or other precipitation

A deep, rumbling noise resembling thunder.

To behave or shout angrily; rant and rage

An alarming or startling threat or denunciation.

To move or rush tumultuously, violently, or angrily

(obsolete) The discharge of electricity; a thunderbolt.

To assault or capture suddenly

(figuratively) The spotlight.

To travel around (a place) vigorously in an attempt to gain support

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

To shout angrily

(intransitive) To make a noise like thunder.

Any disturbed state of the atmosphere, especially as affecting the earth's surface, and strongly implying destructive or unpleasant weather.

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

A thunderstorm.

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

A violent agitation of human society; a civil, political, or domestic commotion; violent outbreak.

To produce something with incredible power.

(meteorology) A very strong wind on the wind scale, stronger than a gale, less than a hurricane (10 or higher on the Beaufort scale).

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

(military) A violent assault on a stronghold or fortified position.

The discharge of electricity; a thunderbolt.

(impersonal) (weather it) To be violent, with strong winds and usually rain, thunder, lightning, or snow.

Any loud noise; as, the thunder of cannon.

(intransitive) (metaphor) To rage or fume; to be in a violent temper.

An alarming or statrling threat or denunciation.

To move quickly and noisily like a storm, usually in a state of uproar or anger.

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

(transitive) [army; crowd, rioters] To assault (a significant building) with the aim to gain power over it.

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

(transitive) to assault, gain power over (heart, mind+).

To utter violent denunciation.

A violent disturbance of the atmosphere, attended by wind, rain, snow, hail, or thunder and lightning; hence, often, a heavy fall of rain, snow, or hail, whether accompanied with wind or not.

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

A violent agitation of human society; a civil, political, or domestic commotion; sedition, insurrection, or war; violent outbreak; clamor; tumult.

A deep prolonged loud noise

A heavy shower or fall, any adverse outburst of tumultuous force; violence.

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

A violent assault on a fortified place; a furious attempt of troops to enter and take a fortified place by scaling the walls, forcing the gates, or the like.

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To assault; to attack, and attempt to take, by scaling walls, forcing gates, breaches, or the like; as, to storm a fortified town.

Move fast, noisily, and heavily;

To raise a tempest.

Utter words loudly and forcefully;

To blow with violence; also, to rain, hail, snow, or the like, usually in a violent manner, or with high wind; - used impersonally; as, it storms.

Be the case that thunder is being heard;

To rage; to be in a violent passion; to fume.

To make or produce a loud noise;

A violent weather condition with winds 64-72 knots (11 on the Beaufort scale) and precipitation and thunder and lightening

A violent commotion or disturbance;

A direct and violent assault on a stronghold

Behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

Take by force;

Rain, hail, or snow hard and be very windy, often with thunder or lightning;

Blow hard;

Attack by storm; attack suddenly