explode

[ ik-splohd ]

verb (used without object)

, ex·plod·ed, ex·plod·ing.

1. to expand with force and noise because of rapid chemical change or decomposition, as gunpowder or nitroglycerine ( implode ).
2. to burst, fly into pieces, or break up violently with a loud report, as a boiler from excessive pressure of steam.
3. to burst forth violently or emotionally, especially with noise, laughter, violent speech, etc.:

   He exploded with rage when contradicted.

4. Phonetics. (of plosives) to terminate the occlusive phase with a plosion. Compare implode ( def 2 ).
5. Golf. to play an explosion shot on a golf ball.

verb (used with object)

, ex·plod·ed, ex·plod·ing.

1. to cause (gunpowder, a boiler, etc.) to explode.
2. to cause to be rejected; destroy the repute of; discredit or disprove:

   to explode a theory.

3. Phonetics. to end with plosion.
4. Golf. to play an explosion shot on (a golf ball).
5. Obsolete. to drive (a player, play, etc.) from the stage by loud expressions of disapprobation.

explode

/ ɪkˈspləʊd /

verb

1. to burst or cause to burst with great violence as a result of internal pressure, esp through the detonation of an explosive; blow up
2. to destroy or be destroyed in this manner

   to explode a bridge

3. (of a gas) to undergo or cause (a gas) to undergo a sudden violent expansion, accompanied by heat, light, a shock wave, and a loud noise, as a result of a fast uncontrolled exothermic chemical or nuclear reaction
4. intr to react suddenly or violently with emotion, etc

   to explode with anger

5. intr (esp of a population) to increase rapidly
6. tr to show (a theory, etc) to be baseless; refute and make obsolete
7. tr phonetics to pronounce (a stop) with audible plosion

Derived Forms

• exˈploder, noun

Other Words From

• ex·ploder noun
• preex·plode verb preexploded preexploding
• unex·ploded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of explode¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin explōdere “to drive off by clapping, drive away,” from ex- ex- ¹ + -plōdere, variant stem of plaudere “to clap” ( applaud )

Word History and Origins

Origin of explode¹

C16: from Latin explōdere to drive off by clapping, hiss (an actor) off, from ex- ¹+ plaudere to clap

Example Sentences

A hazardous fire broke out in San Pedro around noon on Thursday after a big rig carrying lithium ion batteries overturned, causing at least one battery to explode, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

"We need to avoid what I call super-spreader events. When these things explode or something collides with them, it generates thousands of pieces of debris that then become a hazard to something else that we care about."

From BBC

"Last year was not this bad... Somebody needs to tell us what has happened. Did a pollution bomb explode somewhere?"

From BBC

The day before Mr de Menezes was killed by police, would-be suicide bombers targeted the London transport network again, but their devices failed to explode.

From BBC

Speaking to me from Los Angeles, Susan says she never intended to start making money from her posts - or for her account’s reach to “explode”.

From BBC

Related Words

• blast
• break out
• burst
• collapse
• detonate
• erupt
• flare up
• mushroom
• rupture
• set off
• shatter