thun•derˈθʌn dər(n.)

1. a loud, explosive, resounding noise produced by the explosive expansion of air heated by a lightning discharge.

   Category: Meteorology

2. any loud, resounding noise:

   the thunder of applause.

3. (v.i.)to give forth thunder (often used impersonally with it as the subject):

   It thundered all night.

4. to make a loud, resounding noise like thunder:

   artillery thundering in the hills.

5. to speak in a very loud or vehement, esp. denunciatory, tone; shout.

6. (v.t.)to strike, drive, etc., with loud noise or violent action.

7. to express loudly or vehemently.

Idioms for thunder:

1. steal someone's thunder, to misappropriate the ideas or inventions of another. to spoil the effect of another's performance, remark, etc., by doing or saying it first.

   Category: Idiom

Origin of thunder:

bef. 900; ME; OE thunor, c. OFris thuner, OS thunar, OHG donar, ON thōrr (cf. Thor )

thun′der•er(n.)