detonation
Americannoun
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the act of detonating.
-
an explosion.
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Machinery. the premature spontaneous burning of a fuel–air mixture in an internal-combustion engine due to the high temperature of air compressed in a cylinder.
Other Word Forms
- detonative adjective
Etymology
Origin of detonation
1670–80; < Medieval Latin dētonātiōn- (stem of dētonātiō ), equivalent to Latin dētonāt ( us ) ( detonate ) + -iōn- -ion
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A remote detonation robot device was used for the safe destruction of the tool bag.
From Washington Times
As neighbours hurriedly packed up to leave amid detonations and gunfire, Adam found herself alone.
From Reuters
SpaceX called the detonation a "rapid unscheduled disassembly" — a joke that has been made in this industry since at least the '60s, a tongue-in-cheek way of saying, "that looked expensive."
From Salon
In persisting ceasefire violations that the United States called worrying, heavy gunfire and detonations rattled residential neighbourhoods of the capital region where fighting has been concentrated over the past week.
From Reuters
They left in their wake two large black plumes rising from the detonations.
From New York Times
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.
