lightning

A flash of light produced by short-duration, high-voltage discharge of electricity within a cloud, between clouds, or between a cloud and the earth.

How to use

The term 'lightning' is commonly used in a variety of contexts, from casual conversations about weather to scientific discussions about atmospheric electricity. A notable grammatical nuance is that 'lightning' is often used as a mass noun, and thus it is not typically pluralized. For example, 'The storm brought heavy rain and lightning.' However, learners should be cautious not to confuse it with 'lightning' as an adjective, as in 'a lightning-fast runner,' where it denotes speed or rapidity.