detonation
Americannoun
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the act of detonating.
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an explosion.
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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.
noun
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an explosion or the act of exploding
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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
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physics rapid combustion, esp that occurring within a shock wave
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing detonation
The Hot Zone
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"Modern Automotive Technology," Vocabulary from Section 4
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Mockingjay
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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.
A third U.S. service member in Jordan is missing and presumed dead, and a fourth was killed during the detonation of a downed Iranian drone in Iraq on Saturday.
From Slate ● Jul. 20, 2026
An American servicemember died in northern Iraq on Saturday during a controlled detonation of a downed Iranian attack drone, according to U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
"What happens when a warrior comes against a freak of nature? Derek comes to fight, but I'm coming with detonation," Wilder said.
From BBC ● Apr. 2, 2026
“The Complex,” more meandering and less searing — is a departure from such detonation.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 23, 2026
This display of sentiment was interrupted by a detonation so loud I stumbled.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
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.
