airburst

[ air-burst ]

noun

1. the explosion of a bomb or shell in midair.

airburst

/ ˈɛəˌbɜːst /

noun

1. the explosion of a bomb, shell, etc, in the air

Word History and Origins

Origin of airburst¹

First recorded in 1915–20; air ¹ + burst

Example Sentences

These fiery events — known as airbursts — are dramatic, generating massive amounts of heat and strong winds.

From Science News

Because airbursts rarely occur in the same place twice, the evidence led some researchers to suggest that the glass formed during several massive grass fires.

From Science News

The desert’s glass corridor, however, is kilometers away from the closest volcano, suggesting the glass formed in a different type of heating event, such as an airburst.

From Science News

In 1908, an airburst from an asteroid or comet over a remote part of Russia flattened trees and generated a shock wave that knocked people off their feet hundreds of kilometers away.

From Science News