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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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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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.
The eruption produced an ash plume that extended to about 650 miles away, the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team said.
From Washington Post • Apr. 12, 2023
Eruption has launched at the perfect time for Destiny 2.
From The Verge • Sep. 7, 2022
Tsunami videos out of Tonga 🇹🇴 this afternoon following the Volcano Eruption.
From BBC • Jan. 15, 2022
One exception comes on Eruption, from Van Halen's debut album, which is simply 102 seconds of molten-hot finger work, as Eddie dive-bombs over the fretboard, incorporating both classical scales and his tapping technique.
From BBC • Oct. 7, 2020
But it is certain the Child recovered as speedily as others, whose Eruption was more distinct, and who drank Barley-Water, very thin Rice or Indian Corn Gruel, Balm Tea, or the like.
From Advice to the people in general, with regard to their health by Tissot, S. A. D. (Samuel Auguste David)
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.