heat lightning
noun
: 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
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In the clouds to the west, heat lightning fluttered and laced.
—
David Means, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2019
Then, with 1:14 left in the half, heat lightning was sighted and both teams were sent to the locker rooms with Milford leading 34-6.
—Scott Springer, Cincinnati.com, 13 Sep. 2019
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, 22 June 2018
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David Means, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2019
Then, with 1:14 left in the half, heat lightning was sighted and both teams were sent to the locker rooms with Milford leading 34-6.
—Scott Springer, Cincinnati.com, 13 Sep. 2019
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, 22 June 2018
Cite this Entry
“Heat lightning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heat%20lightning. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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