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lightening

American  
[lahyt-n-ing] / ˈlaɪt n ɪŋ /

noun

Medicine/Medical.

  1. the descent of the uterus into the pelvic cavity, occurring toward the end of pregnancy, changing the contour of the abdomen and facilitating breathing by lessening pressure under the diaphragm.

lightening British  
/ ˈlaɪtənɪŋ /

noun

  1. obstetrics the sensation, experienced by many women late in pregnancy when the head of the fetus enters the pelvis, of a reduction in pressure on the diaphragm, making it easier to breathe

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of lightening

First recorded in 1520–30; lighten 2 + -ing 1

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They also travel at lightening speed on social media.

From BBC

Gran was still sound asleep, though the sky was lightening.

From Literature

Illegal skin lightening products are being sold in butchers and specialist food shops across the UK as well as online, a watchdog has warned.

From BBC

My hair was lightening in color, and my hands were callused and bleeding from handling fish with spiny fins and scales.

From Literature

Speaking backstage, they told reporters that they were unsure how they would recapture that lightening in a bottle for the sequel they have planned with Netflix.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.