eruption

American  

[ih-ruhp-shuhn] / ɪˈrʌp ʃən /

noun

1. an issuing forth suddenly and violently; outburst; outbreak.

2. Geology. the ejection of molten rock, steam, etc., as from a volcano or geyser.

3. something that is erupted or ejected, as molten rock, volcanic ash, or steam.

4. Pathology.

   1. the breaking out of a rash or the like.

   2. a rash or exanthem.

---

eruption Scientific  

/ ĭ-rŭp′shən /

1. The release of gas, ash, molten materials, or hot water into the atmosphere or onto the Earth's surface from a volcano or other opening in the Earth's surface.

---

Other Word Forms

• eruptional adjective
• noneruption noun
• preeruption noun
• reeruption noun

Etymology

Origin of eruption

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin ēruptiōn- (stem of ēruptiō ). See erupt, -ion

Example Sentences

The eruption of an Icelandic volcano kept some artists from getting to the festival, including The Cribs and Frightened Rabbit.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

The results, published in Communications Earth & Environment, confirm a large magma-rich zone directly beneath the site of the ancient eruption.

From Science Daily • Mar. 29, 2026

The hillside behind her was sprinkled with desert golds, but the display fell short of the riotous eruption of flowers posted on social media.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Researchers now suggest that this cold phase may have been triggered by a major volcanic eruption in Germany or possibly an eruption from an as yet unidentified volcano.

From Science Daily • Mar. 20, 2026

“The volcano’s behavior suggests … an eruption is more likely to occur within the next hundred years, and perhaps even before the end of this century,” they concluded.

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone

Related Words

• blast
• breakout
• burst
• explosion
• flare-up
• outbreak
• outburst