lightning

• Décharge électrique naturelle de très courte durée et de haute tension entre un nuage et le sol ou à l'intérieur d'un nuage, accompagnée d'un éclair brillant et généralement de tonnerre; par extension, la lueur vive produite par cette décharge.

A natural electrical discharge of very short duration and high voltage between a cloud and the ground or within a cloud, accompanied by a bright flash and typically thunder.

indénombrable

1. Natural electrical dischargeA2formal

   A sudden, powerful electrical discharge in the atmosphere, usually accompanied by thunder.

   Éclair

   • The lightning struck the old oak tree in the field.
   • We saw a flash of lightning in the distance.
   • During the storm, lightning lit up the entire sky.

   Synonymesboltflashstreakthunderbolt

2. Metaphorical speedB1informal

   Used to describe something extremely fast or sudden.

   Vitesse métaphorique

   • The runner moved like lightning across the track.
   • The news spread like lightning through the town.
   • His reaction was as quick as lightning.

   Synonymesboltflashstreakthunderbolt