Definition of "lightning" in English

noun

1. 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.

   • Although we did not see the lightning, we did hear the thunder.

2. A discharge of this kind.

   • The lightning was hot enough to melt the sand.
   • That tree was hit by lightning.

3. (figuratively) Anything that moves very fast.

4. (archaic, slang) Gin.

5. Obsolete form of lightening.

adjective

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

verb

1. (impersonal, childish or nonstandard, intransitive) To produce lightning.