detonation

American  

[det-n-ey-shuhn] / ˌdɛt nˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of detonating.

2. an explosion.

3. Machinery. the premature spontaneous burning of a fuel–air mixture in an internal-combustion engine due to the high temperature of air compressed in a cylinder.

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detonation British  

/ ˌdɛtəˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. an explosion or the act of exploding

2. the spontaneous combustion in an internal-combustion engine of part of the mixture before it has been reached by the flame front, causing the engine to knock

3. physics rapid combustion, esp that occurring within a shock wave

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Other Word Forms

• detonative
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of detonation

1670–80; < Medieval Latin dētonātiōn- (stem of dētonātiō ), equivalent to Latin dētonāt ( us ) ( see detonate) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

A detonation is an explosion, usually done on purpose. Nuclear weapons cause massive detonations, and cities sometimes plan a careful detonation of an abandoned building in order to make room for a new structure. Detonation can be two things: the actual moment someone presses the button that creates the explosion, and then there’s the explosion itself. Its root word is the Latin detonare, which means “thunder down,” and if you’ve ever heard a detonation you understand that phrase well. Not all detonations are bad — like beautiful fireworks or the hilarious detonation of an exploding cigar.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

detonation

Indeed, that was effectively unknowable because, as the NYPD’s chief of detectives told reporters, they had learned that the bomb could’ve been timed to go off anywhere in the 12 hours prior to actual detonation.

From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2026

She said: "Substantial protective measures were installed, including the erection of walls and the digging of trenches to mitigate the impact of any detonation and reduce ground shock."

From BBC ● May 1, 2026

The report suggested possible causes for the premature fuze detonation but determined that military personnel were not at fault.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 16, 2026

Textron’s tech can also trick mine sensors into thinking a large boat is passing, triggering a relatively safe detonation.

From Barron's ● Mar. 11, 2026

They walked to school without incident, though Moss would have been hard-pressed to have noticed the detonation of an atom bomb that morning.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro

Related Words

• ignition