1 heat lightning | Definition of heat lightning
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

heat lightning

noun

Definition of heat lightning

: vivid and extensive flashes of electric light without thunder seen near the horizon especially at the close of a hot day and ascribed to far-off lightning reflected by high clouds

Examples of heat lightning in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 The afternoon clouds look like mountain ranges, enhancing the lush Irish topography, and later there is heat lightning in the distance, which lights up the horizon like an old projector. — Chris Erskine, latimes.com, "I'm waiting for my re-booked flight. Cheers to these fellow travelers on life's journey," 22 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'heat lightning.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of heat lightning

1810, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for heat lightning

heat lightning

noun

English Language Learners Definition of heat lightning

chiefly US : flashes of light in the sky that happen without the sound of thunder and that are produced by distant lightning

See the full definition for heat lightning in the English Language Learners Dictionary

More from Merriam-Webster on heat lightning

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with heat lightning

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!