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burst
[ burst ]
verb (used without object)
- to break, break open, or fly apart with sudden violence:
The bitter cold caused the pipes to burst.
- to issue forth suddenly and forcibly, as from confinement or through an obstacle:
Oil burst to the surface. He burst through the doorway.
- to give sudden expression to or as if to emotion:
to burst into applause; to burst into tears.
- to be extremely full, as if ready to break open:
The house was bursting with people.
- to appear suddenly; become visible, audible, evident, etc., all at once:
The sun burst through the clouds.
verb (used with object)
noun
- an act or instance of bursting.
- a sudden, intense display, as of activity, energy, or effort:
The car passed us with a burst of speed.
Synonyms: spurt
- a sudden expression or manifestation, as of emotion:
a burst of affection.
Synonyms: outbreak
- a sudden and violent issuing forth:
a burst of steam from the pipe.
Synonyms: outbreak
- Military.
- the explosion of a projectile, especially in a specified place:
an air burst.
- a rapid sequence of shots fired by one pull on the trigger of an automatic weapon:
A burst from the machine gun shattered all the windows.
a burst in the dike.
- a sudden appearance or opening to view.
burst
/ bɜːst /
verb
- to break or cause to break open or apart suddenly and noisily, esp from internal pressure; explode
- intr to come, go, etc, suddenly and forcibly
he burst into the room
- intr to be full to the point of breaking open
- intr to give vent (to) suddenly or loudly
to burst into song
- to cause or suffer the rupture of
to burst a blood vessel
noun
- a sudden breaking open or apart; explosion
- a break; breach; rupture
- a sudden display or increase of effort or action; spurt
a burst of speed
- a sudden and violent emission, occurrence, or outbreak
a burst of applause
a burst of heavy rain
- a volley of fire from a weapon or weapons
adjective
- broken apart; ruptured
a burst pipe
Derived Forms
- ˈburster, noun
Other Words From
- non·bursting adjective noun
- un·burst adjective
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of burst1
Idioms and Phrases
- burst at the seams, to be filled to or beyond normal capacity:
This room will be bursting at the seams when all the guests arrive.
Example Sentences
The gunman then burst from the restaurant and fled down the street with the other man.
Within a few swipes, I was already feeling that burst of romantic optimism you need the first day of the (Christian) new year.
“So, about good for one tactical burst,” the first Air Force official said.
People will always scratch and save if a sudden burst of unrestrained pleasure can be purchased.
He was in the bathroom, perhaps trying to flush some pot down the toilet, when a cop burst in.
He burst into a loud laugh, clapped his hands, and danced before the delighted babe.
After a moment's silence, the cavaliers both burst into a gay laugh.
A burst of indignation within seemed to do more for him than the outward buffetings.
Some hidden magnetism burst from him like an aura, and his cold pasty face and light gray eyes flamed into positive beauty.
It burst upon them ere long with awful fury and grandeur, the elements warring with incredible vehemence.
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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.
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