explosion

[ ik-sploh-zhuhn ]

noun

1. an act or instance of exploding; a violent expansion or bursting with noise, as of gunpowder or a boiler ( implosion ).
2. the noise itself:

   The loud explosion woke them.

3. a violent outburst, as of laughter or anger.
4. a sudden, rapid, or great increase:

   a population explosion.

5. the burning of the mixture of fuel and air in an internal-combustion engine.
6. Phonetics. plosion.

explosion

/ ɪkˈspləʊʒən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of exploding
2. See implosion
   a violent release of energy resulting from a rapid chemical or nuclear reaction, esp one that produces a shock wave, loud noise, heat, and light Compare implosion
3. a sudden or violent outburst of activity, noise, emotion, etc
4. a rapid increase, esp in a population
5. See plosion
   phonetics another word for plosion

explosion

/ ĭk-splō′zhən /

1. A violent blowing apart or bursting caused by energy released from a very fast chemical reaction, a nuclear reaction, or the escape of gases under pressure.

Other Words From

• postex·plosion adjective
• preex·plosion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of explosion¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin explōsiōn-, stem of explōsiō, from explōs(us) “driven off by clapping” (past participle of explōdere “to drive off by clapping, drive away”; explode ) + -iō -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of explosion¹

C17: from Latin explōsiō, from explōdere to explode

Example Sentences

Knowing the nova rate is vital for determining how much these explosions have contributed to the galaxy’s chemical makeup by creating new elements.

From Science News

Experts worry Super Bowl could trigger coronavirus explosion.

From Washington Post

Experts worry Super Bowl parties could trigger coronavirus explosion.

From Washington Post

Kling was one of the first county workers to arrive at the scene of a massive explosion and fire at a Silver Spring apartment complex in August 2016.

From Washington Post

Ending the Fairness Doctrine was one key factor leading to an explosion of right-wing radio programming in the 1990s — though sometimes an overstated one.

From Washington Post

Pleasure shoots magically in every direction like an explosion of sparks.

From The Daily Beast

At least two people were injured in the explosion but no fatalities have been reported.

From The Daily Beast

But since that explosion of popularity, Angry Birds has become about everything else.

From The Daily Beast

Even a relatively small 250-pound bomb could kill or injure friendly troops who are within 650 feet of the explosion.

From The Daily Beast

Now is hardly the time to be doing anything on the so-called peace process other than trying to avoid an explosion on the ground.

From The Daily Beast

Every light in the hall was ablaze; every lamp turned as high as it could be without smoking the chimney or threatening explosion.

From Project Gutenberg

And when Lessard flung out that last unthinkable accusation, the explosion came.

From Project Gutenberg

Ribsy snapped at it, and swallowed it, and the next instant disappeared with a tremendous explosion in a great cloud of smoke.

From Project Gutenberg

An explosion took place in the Blackheath coal mines, Virginia; by which of the twenty-three workmen only one escaped death.

From Project Gutenberg

The Turks fired a mine under Quinn's Post and then rushed a section of the defence isolated by the explosion.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blast
• burst
• detonation
• firing
• outbreak
• outburst