globe lightning: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “globe lightning” mean?
A rare, unexplained atmospheric electrical phenomenon where a luminous sphere, or 'globe', is seen moving slowly during a thunderstorm.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A rare, unexplained atmospheric electrical phenomenon where a luminous sphere, or 'globe', is seen moving slowly during a thunderstorm.
Used as a scientific term for ball lightning, often implying a focus on the spherical shape and observed behavior rather than explanatory theories.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'globe lightning' is a known but relatively rare variant of the more common term 'ball lightning'. In American English, 'ball lightning' is overwhelmingly preferred; 'globe lightning' may be seen as a more literary or descriptive alternative.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term has a distinctly scientific or documentary connotation. 'Globe lightning' may sound slightly more old-fashioned or formal.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. 'Ball lightning' is at least 50 times more common in both corpora (COCA and BNC).
Grammar
How to Use “globe lightning” in a Sentence
The [storm/channel] produced globe lightning.Witnesses reported seeing globe lightning [floating/entering].Globe lightning is a [rare/poorly understood] phenomenon.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “globe lightning” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The phenomenon is not 'globe lightninged'; it is sighted or observed.
American English
- You cannot 'globe-lightning' something; it is a noun.
adjective
British English
- The globe-lightning sighting was documented in the journal.
- A globe-lightning event
American English
- A globe-lightning phenomenon
- Globe-lightning research
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in meteorology, atmospheric physics, and related scientific papers describing rare atmospheric phenomena.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would be used only when recounting a specific, unusual eyewitness account during a thunderstorm.
Technical
The primary context. Used in technical reports, scientific literature, and documentaries about unexplained natural phenomena.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “globe lightning”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “globe lightning”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “globe lightning”
- Using 'global lightning' (incorrect; this would imply worldwide lightning).
- Treating it as a common compound noun; it is a fixed technical term.
- Confusing it with 'St. Elmo's fire', a different electrical phenomenon.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they are synonyms. 'Globe lightning' is a less common, more descriptive variant of the standard term 'ball lightning'.
Eyewitness reports suggest it can be, as it is associated with electrical storms and has been reported to cause damage, but it is so rare that systematic study of its dangers is difficult.
There are numerous anecdotal reports of ball or globe lightning appearing to pass through walls or windows and manifest indoors, though this remains one of its most puzzling and controversial characteristics.
It is an English term, but it is very rare in both major varieties. 'Ball lightning' is the dominant term globally. 'Globe lightning' might be found in older scientific texts or used for stylistic variation.
A rare, unexplained atmospheric electrical phenomenon where a luminous sphere, or 'globe', is seen moving slowly during a thunderstorm.
Globe lightning is usually technical / scientific in register.
Globe lightning: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡləʊb ˌlaɪt.nɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡloʊb ˌlaɪt̬.nɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Like globe lightning – appearing suddenly and mysteriously, then vanishing.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a glowing GLOBE (like a world map) made of LIGHTNING floating through your room. The phrase itself is the description.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE IS A SOLID, TRAVELLING OBJECT (a globe/ball that moves, enters, floats).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common, standard term for 'globe lightning'?