Crash of thunder

CLAP

Think of the sharp sound made when you bring your hands together quickly, often heard during a storm.

"Crash of thunder" hints at the word "clap" because a sudden, loud thunder noise is often described as a thunderclap. The clue plays on the literal meaning of "clap" as a sharp sound, not the usual sense of applauding. It’s a straightforward definition where the answer fits the sound of thunder perfectly.