thunderstorm

noun

thun·​der·​storm ˈthən-dər-ˌstȯrm How to pronounce thunderstorm (audio)
Synonyms of thunderstormnext
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Forecasters are warning South Florida residents that numerous cities will be drenched in rainfall that may lead to bouts of flash flooding and some thunderstorms Saturday night. — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026 Any stronger storms could bring down trees or power lines, and even locations that miss the worst thunderstorms will notice increasing winds as the front approaches. — Bill Kelly, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Thirteen people drown in flash flooding as slow-moving thunderstorms churned through the city in June 2025, with 11 of the victims found near Northeast Loop 410 and the Perrin-Beitel Road on the Northeast Side. — Katie Bartlett, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026 Half the country warmer than normal El Niño also has an influence on severe thunderstorms, which after peaking in spring, normally pick up steam again near and along the Gulf Coast from late fall to early winter. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thunderstorm

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thunderstorm was in 1652

Rhymes for thunderstorm

See All Rhymes for thunderstorm

Browse Nearby Words

thunderstone
thunderstorm
thunderstorm cirrus
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thunderstorm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thunderstorm. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

thunderstorm

noun
thun·​der·​storm -ˌstȯ(ə)rm How to pronounce thunderstorm (audio)
: a storm accompanied by lightning and thunder

More from Merriam-Webster on thunderstorm

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for thunderstorm

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about thunderstorm

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