lightning strike
noun
1
British
: a strike by workers that is done very suddenly
2
: an occurrence of something being hit by lightning
The forest fire was caused by a lightning strike.
Examples of lightning strike in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Anyone who watches the moon glide over the sun on April 8 will be witnessing the planetary version of a lightning strike.
—
Adam Frank, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2024
On April 8, anyone who watches in wonder as the moon silently glides over the sun will be witnessing the planetary version of a lightning strike.
—Adam Frank, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2024
His office blames a heat wave for surging demand, as well as events out of the municipal government's control — like a lightning strike at a water pump station at the start of March.
—Kate Bartlett, NPR, 1 Apr. 2024
Where lightning strikes: States with the highest lightning density
Last year, there were more lightning strikes in Texas overall last year, but Florida frequently has the highest lightning strike density in the U.S. – that's, more lightning strikes per square kilometer in the state.
—USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024
Two months out from an election, authorities are blaming the latest shortages on a lightning strike on a pumping station, and also pointing to the heat wave.
—Sarah Dean, CNN, 24 Mar. 2024
Now, traditionally, Indigenous peoples would light fires or allow a lightning strike to burn out.
—Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Nov. 2023
In 2021, the monument closed for at least four consecutive days because of a lightning strike that caused damage to its electrical system, which took days to repair.
—Lateshia Beachum, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024
However, things got off to a damp start after the stadium floor had to be evacuated due to a nearby lightning strike, as seen in a video posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
—Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 23 Feb. 2024
Adam Frank, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2024
On April 8, anyone who watches in wonder as the moon silently glides over the sun will be witnessing the planetary version of a lightning strike.
—Adam Frank, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2024
His office blames a heat wave for surging demand, as well as events out of the municipal government's control — like a lightning strike at a water pump station at the start of March.
—Kate Bartlett, NPR, 1 Apr. 2024
Where lightning strikes: States with the highest lightning density
Last year, there were more lightning strikes in Texas overall last year, but Florida frequently has the highest lightning strike density in the U.S. – that's, more lightning strikes per square kilometer in the state.
—USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024
Two months out from an election, authorities are blaming the latest shortages on a lightning strike on a pumping station, and also pointing to the heat wave.
—Sarah Dean, CNN, 24 Mar. 2024
Now, traditionally, Indigenous peoples would light fires or allow a lightning strike to burn out.
—Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Nov. 2023
In 2021, the monument closed for at least four consecutive days because of a lightning strike that caused damage to its electrical system, which took days to repair.
—Lateshia Beachum, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024
However, things got off to a damp start after the stadium floor had to be evacuated due to a nearby lightning strike, as seen in a video posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
—Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 23 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lightning strike.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near lightning strike
Cite this Entry
“Lightning strike.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lightning%20strike. Accessed 1 May. 2024.
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