blast wave

noun

1. a violent propagating disturbance, produced by an explosion in air, that consists of an abrupt rise in pressure followed by a drop in pressure to or below atmospheric pressure.

Word History and Origins

Origin of blast wave¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

"The blast wave damaged my mother's balcony, windows, doors, and the interior of the apartment."

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A blast wave is said to have damaged a plastered cornice on the eastern façade but not affected the interior.

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The blast wave nevertheless tossed all of his stock into a jumble of shower handles and hoses, boxes of masking tape and home repair tools — all covered in fine, metallic-gray dust.

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Of the civilians who have been killed, the majority were torn to pieces or wounded by the blast waves of Israeli airstrikes, often using American-made bombs.

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He felt the jolts as the blast waves shook the windows.

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