1
: the flashing of light produced by a discharge of atmospheric electricity
also
: the discharge itself
2
: a sudden stroke of fortune
candidates … hoping for real lightning to strike—
Time
Time
: having or moving with or as if with the speed and suddenness of lightning
a lightning assault
Synonyms
Examples of lightning in a Sentence
Adjective
thoughts moving at lightning speed
he made a lightning dash for the goal
Recent Examples on the WebChristian Edwards, CNN, 16 Sep. 2024
Subtle errors, camouflaged in labyrinthine webs of code, become imperceptible at the lightning speed of execution.
—Dr. Mithu Storoni, TIME, 16 Sep. 2024
The cost of damage and disruption caused by lightning is not insignificant.
—Chris Baraniuk, WIRED, 11 Sep. 2024
The Umatilla National Forest and the Ochoco National Forest surround the blaze, which is primarily fueled by tall grass and brush that was ignited by lightning.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lightning 
Noun
Putin’s decree comes after Ukraine last month launched a lightning attack across the border on Russia’s southern Kursk region – the first foreign invasion of Russian territory since World War II.
—Christian Edwards, CNN, 16 Sep. 2024
Subtle errors, camouflaged in labyrinthine webs of code, become imperceptible at the lightning speed of execution.
—Dr. Mithu Storoni, TIME, 16 Sep. 2024
The cost of damage and disruption caused by lightning is not insignificant.
—Chris Baraniuk, WIRED, 11 Sep. 2024
The Umatilla National Forest and the Ochoco National Forest surround the blaze, which is primarily fueled by tall grass and brush that was ignited by lightning.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lightning
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lightning.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near lightning
Cite this Entry
“Lightning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lightning. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lightning
1 of 2 noun
light·ning
ˈlīt-niŋ 
: the flashing of light produced by a discharge of atmospheric electricity from one cloud to another or between a cloud and the earth
also
: the discharge itself
lightning
2 of 2 adjective
: moving or done with or as if with the speed of lightning
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