burst
to break, break open, or fly apart with sudden violence: The bitter cold caused the pipes to burst.
to issue forth suddenly and forcibly, as from confinement or through an obstacle: Oil burst to the surface. He burst through the doorway.
to give sudden expression to or as if to emotion: to burst into applause; to burst into tears.
to be extremely full, as if ready to break open: The house was bursting with people.
to appear suddenly; become visible, audible, evident, etc., all at once: The sun burst through the clouds.
to cause to break or break open suddenly and violently: He burst the balloon.
to cause or suffer the rupture of: to burst a blood vessel.
to separate (the parts of a multipart stationery form consisting of interleaved paper and carbon paper).
an act or instance of bursting.
a sudden, intense display, as of activity, energy, or effort: The car passed us with a burst of speed.
a sudden expression or manifestation, as of emotion: a burst of affection.
a sudden and violent issuing forth: a burst of steam from the pipe.
Military.
the explosion of a projectile, especially in a specified place: an air burst.
a rapid sequence of shots fired by one pull on the trigger of an automatic weapon: A burst from the machine gun shattered all the windows.
a sudden appearance or opening to view.
Idioms about burst
burst at the seams, to be filled to or beyond normal capacity: This room will be bursting at the seams when all the guests arrive.
Origin of burst
1Other words for burst
Other words from burst
- non·burst·ing, adjective, noun
- un·burst, adjective
Words that may be confused with burst
- burst , bust
Words Nearby burst
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use burst in a sentence
The gunman then burst from the restaurant and fled down the street with the other man.
Within a few swipes, I was already feeling that burst of romantic optimism you need the first day of the (Christian) new year.
“So, about good for one tactical burst,” the first Air Force official said.
New U.S. Stealth Jet Can’t Fire Its Gun Until 2019 | Dave Majumdar | December 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTPeople will always scratch and save if a sudden burst of unrestrained pleasure can be purchased.
He was in the bathroom, perhaps trying to flush some pot down the toilet, when a cop burst in.
‘I Can’t Breathe!’ ‘I Can’t Breathe!’ A Moral Indictment of Cop Culture | Michael Daly | December 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
He burst into a loud laugh, clapped his hands, and danced before the delighted babe.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol | William J. LockeAfter a moment's silence, the cavaliers both burst into a gay laugh.
A burst of indignation within seemed to do more for him than the outward buffetings.
The Giant of the North | R.M. BallantyneSome hidden magnetism burst from him like an aura, and his cold pasty face and light gray eyes flamed into positive beauty.
Ancestors | Gertrude AthertonIt burst upon them ere long with awful fury and grandeur, the elements warring with incredible vehemence.
Hunting the Lions | R.M. Ballantyne
British Dictionary definitions for burst
/ (bɜːst) /
to break or cause to break open or apart suddenly and noisily, esp from internal pressure; explode
(intr) to come, go, etc, suddenly and forcibly: he burst into the room
(intr) to be full to the point of breaking open
(intr) to give vent (to) suddenly or loudly: to burst into song
to cause or suffer the rupture of: to burst a blood vessel
a sudden breaking open or apart; explosion
a break; breach; rupture
a sudden display or increase of effort or action; spurt: a burst of speed
a sudden and violent emission, occurrence, or outbreak: a burst of heavy rain; a burst of applause
a volley of fire from a weapon or weapons
broken apart; ruptured: a burst pipe
Origin of burst
1Derived forms of burst
- burster, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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