eruption

[ih-ruhp-shuhn]

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of eruption¹

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

Example Sentences

Since its founding, the United States has suffered from eruptions of political violence from time to time.

From Salon

The fire came within a few feet of the Villa, famously a re-creation of an ancient Roman country home that was buried beneath the huge volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

From Los Angeles Times

The movie, with its impressive visual effects, depicts an eruption along the San Andreas fault line that wreaks havoc along the West Coast, endangering Los Angeles and San Francisco.

From Los Angeles Times

New evidence suggests people returned to live among the ruins of Pompeii after the ancient Roman city was devastated by a volcanic eruption.

From BBC

Like a lot of that administration, in the rear-view mirror it looks like a holding pattern in between two eruptions of widening chaos.

From Salon

Related Words

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