sheet lightning


noun

lightning appearing merely as a general illumination over a broad area, usually because the path of the flash is obscured by clouds.

Origin of sheet lightning

First recorded in 1820–30

Example sentences from the Web for sheet lightning

British Dictionary definitions for sheet lightning

sheet lightning

noun

lightning that appears as a broad sheet, caused by the reflection of more distant lightning

Scientific definitions for sheet lightning

sheet lightning
[ shēt ]

A broad, sheetlike illumination of a portion of a thundercloud, caused by an unseen, often internal or reflected lightning flash. See also heat lightning. See more at lightning.