lightning: Meaning and Definition of

light•ning

1. a brilliant electric spark discharge in the atmosphere, occurring within a thundercloud, between clouds, or between a cloud and the ground.

1. to emit a flash or flashes of lightning (often used impersonally with it as subject): If it starts to lightning, we'd better go inside.

1. of, pertaining to, or resembling lightning, esp. in regard to speed of movement: lightning flashes; lightning speed.