burst

[ burst ]

verb (used without object)

, burst or, often, burst·ed, burst·ing.

1. to break, break open, or fly apart with sudden violence:

   The bitter cold caused the pipes to burst.

   Synonyms: explode, crack

2. to issue forth suddenly and forcibly, as from confinement or through an obstacle:

   Oil burst to the surface. He burst through the doorway.

3. to give sudden expression to or as if to emotion:

   to burst into applause; to burst into tears.

4. to be extremely full, as if ready to break open:

   The house was bursting with people.

5. to appear suddenly; become visible, audible, evident, etc., all at once:

   The sun burst through the clouds.

verb (used with object)

, burst or, often, burst·ed, burst·ing.

1. to cause to break or break open suddenly and violently:

   He burst the balloon.

   Synonyms: tear, rend

2. to cause or suffer the rupture of:

   to burst a blood vessel.

3. to separate (the parts of a multipart stationery form consisting of interleaved paper and carbon paper).

noun

1. an act or instance of bursting.
2. a sudden, intense display, as of activity, energy, or effort:

   The car passed us with a burst of speed.

   Synonyms: spurt

3. a sudden expression or manifestation, as of emotion:

   a burst of affection.

   Synonyms: outbreak

4. a sudden and violent issuing forth:

   a burst of steam from the pipe.

   Synonyms: outbreak

5. Military.
   1. the explosion of a projectile, especially in a specified place:

      an air burst.

   2. 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.

6. the result of bursting; breach; gap:

   a burst in the dike.

7. a sudden appearance or opening to view.

burst

/ bɜːst /

verb

1. to break or cause to break open or apart suddenly and noisily, esp from internal pressure; explode
2. intr to come, go, etc, suddenly and forcibly

   he burst into the room

3. intr to be full to the point of breaking open
4. intr to give vent (to) suddenly or loudly

   to burst into song

5. to cause or suffer the rupture of

   to burst a blood vessel

noun

1. a sudden breaking open or apart; explosion
2. a break; breach; rupture
3. a sudden display or increase of effort or action; spurt

   a burst of speed

4. a sudden and violent emission, occurrence, or outbreak

   a burst of applause

   a burst of heavy rain

5. a volley of fire from a weapon or weapons

adjective

1. broken apart; ruptured

   a burst pipe

Derived Forms

• ˈburster, noun

Other Words From

• non·bursting adjective noun
• un·burst adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of burst¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English bersten, bursten, Old English berstan (past plural burston ), cognate with Old High German brestan ( German bersten ), Old Norse bresta; akin to break

Word History and Origins

Origin of burst¹

Old English berstan ; related to Old Norse bresta , Old Frisian bersta , Old High German brestan ; compare break

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. 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.

Example Sentences

Astrophysicists had thought that if a magnetar ever exploded, it would release one of the highest bursts of energy ever seen in the universe.

From Science News For Students

If you’re active in short bursts, a reusable, chemically activated option might be right for you.

From Popular-Science

Another line of evidence against a sudden lake burst is that “there were no lakes of any size visible” in the satellite images taken over the region.

From Science News

Apart from the occasional burst of energy, which propels me through a flurry of cooking, the joy has seeped from my kitchen.

From Eater

Maryland responded, building a six-point advantage, but Ohio State followed the same script with a quick burst of three-pointers and led 35-30 by halftime.

From Washington Post

The gunman then burst from the restaurant and fled down the street with the other man.

From The Daily Beast

Within a few swipes, I was already feeling that burst of romantic optimism you need the first day of the (Christian) new year.

From The Daily Beast

“So, about good for one tactical burst,” the first Air Force official said.

From The Daily Beast

People will always scratch and save if a sudden burst of unrestrained pleasure can be purchased.

From The Daily Beast

He was in the bathroom, perhaps trying to flush some pot down the toilet, when a cop burst in.

From The Daily Beast

He burst into a loud laugh, clapped his hands, and danced before the delighted babe.

From Project Gutenberg

After a moment's silence, the cavaliers both burst into a gay laugh.

From Project Gutenberg

A burst of indignation within seemed to do more for him than the outward buffetings.

From Project Gutenberg

Some hidden magnetism burst from him like an aura, and his cold pasty face and light gray eyes flamed into positive beauty.

From Project Gutenberg

It burst upon them ere long with awful fury and grandeur, the elements warring with incredible vehemence.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• barrage
• blowout
• crack
• eruption
• explosion
• flare
• fusillade
• gust
• outbreak
• outpouring
• rush
• salvo
• shower
• spate
• spurt
• storm
• surge
• torrent
• volley