explosion

American  

[ik-sploh-zhuhn] / ɪkˈsploʊ ʒən /

noun

1. an act or instance of exploding; a violent expansion or bursting with noise, as of gunpowder or a boiler (opposed to 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.

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explosion British  

/ ɪkˈspləʊʒən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of exploding

2. 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. phonetics another word for plosion

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explosion Scientific  

/ 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.

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Other Word Forms

• postexplosion
  adjective
• preexplosion
  noun

Etymology

Origin of explosion

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”; see explode) + -iō -ion

Explanation

Whether it's a bursting balloon or a detonating bomb, you're sure to notice an explosion. An explosion involves a sudden and often violent burst of energy. The noun explosion is useful when you're talking about a watermelon smashing on the pavement or the burst of fireworks overhead, but it can also describe a sudden increase in something, like an explosion of excitement at a birthday party when the pony arrives. Originally, explosion was used to mean "scornful rejection," from its root in the Latin explodere, "hiss off the stage," and a disappointed audience today might still be described as "exploding with boos."

Example Sentences

Like other chip makers, AMD is pushing to cash in on the surge in demand for central processing units sparked by the explosion of so-called agentic AI, or systems that can complete tasks independently.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

“Otherwise, I think the factors that led to this surprising explosion of fire in Southern California were due to a series of events that we’re familiar with from the historical record,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

“The dangers are so much different. Instead of an explosion, it just turns off. There’s no radioactive waste. So this light touch is exactly what the Congress overwhelmingly … wanted the NRC to do.”

From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026

There may also be a risk of explosion, it added, because of large volumes of internal gas caused by decomposition.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

Autumn and I jump when we hear and feel an electrical explosion behind us.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

Related Words

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