Thunderbolt: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe a sudden, shocking event, often with a sense of dramatic impact. Can be metaphorical for surprising news or actual lightning.

• The news hit them like a thunderbolt.
• A thunderbolt struck the old oak tree during the storm.

Mostly technical or scientific when referring to a visible discharge of electricity from clouds to the ground. Less often used metaphorically compared to 'thunderbolt'.

• They watched a lightning bolt illuminate the sky.
• A lightning bolt can carry millions of volts of electricity.

An old-fashioned term that is not commonly used today, often poetic or literary when referring to the effects of thunder or lightning.

• The knight fell as if struck by a thunderstroke.
• Historians spoke of the thunderstroke that decimated the ancient fortress.

Thunderbolt (capitalized 'T') is a trademarked technology by Intel used for connecting external devices to a computer, typically known for its high-speed data transfer and video output capabilities.

• You'll need a Thunderbolt cable to connect your MacBook to the external monitor

Connector is a general term used for devices or elements that join or link together two or more things, often used in technology and engineering fields.

• I need a connector to link these two cables

A port typically refers to an interface on a computer or other device where you can connect peripherals like USB drives, monitors, or network cables. It can also mean a harbor where ships dock.

• Plug the HDMI cable into the port on the side of your laptop
• The ship arrived at the port early in the morning