implosion

[ im-ploh-zhuhn ]

noun

1. the act of imploding; a bursting inward ( explosion ).
2. Phonetics.
   1. the occlusive phase of stop consonants.
   2. (of a stop consonant) the nasal release heard in the common pronunciation of eaten, sudden, or mitten, in which the vowel of the final syllable is greatly reduced.
   3. the ingressive release of a suction stop. Compare plosion.

implosion

/ ɪmˈpləʊʒən /

noun

1. the act or process of imploding

   the implosion of a light bulb

2. phonetics the suction or inhalation of breath employed in the pronunciation of an ingressive consonant

Word History and Origins

Origin of implosion¹

First recorded in 1875–80; im- ¹ + (ex)plosion

Example Sentences

A more pertinent subsea sound was detected by the US Navy’s sonar system at the time the sub went missing - an acoustic signal consistent with an implosion.

From BBC

The implosion itself was instantaneous, there would have been no time for the passengers to even register what was happening.

From BBC

England's implosion was a complete contrast to the opening half an hour, as Root and Brook looked to have found the right rhythm to their batting.

From BBC

In the months prior to FTX’s implosion, Bankman-Fried had made himself the face of a crypto campaign-finance machine of spectacular might.

From Slate

But a return to 33-year-old Stokes and Root would risk repeating the mistakes of their Indian implosion.

From BBC

Related Words

• bankruptcy
• breakdown
• collapse
• decline
• defeat
• deficiency
• deterioration
• failing
• loss
• misstep