Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun lightning

2 senses of lightning

Sense 1
lightning -- (abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light)
       => atmospheric electricity -- (electrical discharges in the atmosphere)

Sense 2
lightning -- (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)
       => flash -- (a sudden intense burst of radiant energy)