explosion

[ik-sploh-zhuhn]

noun

1. an act or instance of exploding; a violent expansion or bursting with noise, as of gunpowder or a boiler (implosion ).

2. the noise itself.

   The loud explosion woke them.

3. a violent outburst, as of laughter or anger.

4. a sudden, rapid, or great increase.

   a population explosion.

5. the burning of the mixture of fuel and air in an internal-combustion engine.

6. Phonetics.,  plosion.

explosion

/ ɪkˈspləʊʒən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of exploding

2. a violent release of energy resulting from a rapid chemical or nuclear reaction, esp one that produces a shock wave, loud noise, heat, and light Compare implosion

3. a sudden or violent outburst of activity, noise, emotion, etc

4. a rapid increase, esp in a population

5. phonetics another word for plosion

explosion

1. A violent blowing apart or bursting caused by energy released from a very fast chemical reaction, a nuclear reaction, or the escape of gases under pressure.

Other Word Forms

• postexplosion adjective
• preexplosion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of explosion¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin explōsiōn-, stem of explōsiō, from explōs(us) “driven off by clapping” (past participle of explōdere “to drive off by clapping, drive away”; explode ) + -iō -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of explosion¹

C17: from Latin explōsiō, from explōdere to _explode

Example Sentences

"For multiple decades, we have been trying to determine exactly what the explosions of red supergiant stars look like," said Northwestern's Charlie Kilpatrick, who led the study.

Read more on Science Daily

That explosion released energy equivalent to hundreds of kilotons of TNT, reminding scientists that even modestly sized asteroids can have local effects.

Read more on Science Daily

Renaissance Italy’s creative explosion was fueled by trade with the Muslim world, where merchants learned about science, financial innovations and Hindu-Arabic numerals.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The search for terra incognita can explain the explosion, in the 20th century, of science fiction and magical realism.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The volcanic explosion provides a theatrically dramatic precedent for Aguilar’s contemplative composition.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blast 
• burst 
• detonation 
• firing 
• outbreak 
• outburst