eruption
Americannoun
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an issuing forth suddenly and violently; outburst; outbreak.
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Geology. the ejection of molten rock, steam, etc., as from a volcano or geyser.
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something that is erupted or ejected, as molten rock, volcanic ash, or steam.
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Pathology.
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the breaking out of a rash or the like.
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a rash or exanthem.
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Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of eruption
1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin ēruptiōn- (stem of ēruptiō ). See erupt, -ion
Explanation
An eruption is an explosion of steam and lava from a volcano. This word is also used for other explosions, such as "an eruption of emotions." If there's an eruption of a volcano, you don't want to be anywhere near it. When a volcano erupts, it spews a huge amount of lava, ash, and steam into the air. If you were angry at a friend but held your tongue for a long time, then suddenly started yelling in anger, that's an eruption too. The sudden spreading of a disease could be called an eruption. Eruptions are quick, huge, explosive, and dangerous: they're never good news.
Vocabulary lists containing eruption
Make a Break for It: Rupt
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August Words
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Mexico - Introductory
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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.
By studying these chemical fingerprints, scientists can determine exactly which eruption produced a specific layer of ash.
From Science Daily • May 11, 2026
According to this idea, the eruption caused a volcanic winter that lasted as long as six years and pushed the global human population down to fewer than 10,000 people.
From Science Daily • May 11, 2026
One of the most important tools for studying the eruption is the volcanic material it left behind.
From Science Daily • May 11, 2026
Scientists then compare evidence of human activity from before and after the eruption.
From Science Daily • May 11, 2026
The new dome pushed Crater Glacier to the north, down the funnel that had been created during the May 18, 1980 eruption.
From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone
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.
