explosion

American  

[ik-sploh-zhuhn] / ɪkˈsploʊ ʒən /

noun

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

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explosion British  

/ 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

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explosion Scientific  

/ ĭk-splō′zhən /

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.

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Other Word Forms

• postexplosion adjective
• preexplosion noun

Etymology

Origin of explosion

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”; see explode) + -iō -ion

Explanation

Whether it's a bursting balloon or a detonating bomb, you're sure to notice an explosion. An explosion involves a sudden and often violent burst of energy. The noun explosion is useful when you're talking about a watermelon smashing on the pavement or the burst of fireworks overhead, but it can also describe a sudden increase in something, like an explosion of excitement at a birthday party when the pony arrives. Originally, explosion was used to mean "scornful rejection," from its root in the Latin explodere, "hiss off the stage," and a disappointed audience today might still be described as "exploding with boos."

Example Sentences

The church has, in other words, reason to worry that the explosion of public criticism, enabled by social media, is causing people to turn against them.

From Salon • Apr. 29, 2026

She said was clear that it was "a significant explosion and that real harm could have been caused".

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

Federal investigators concluded the actual weight of the fireworks was closer to 42 pounds, nearly double the containment vessel’s maximum safe capacity for a single explosion.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026

"I'm scared," coffee grower Francisco Javier Betancourt, who witnessed the explosion, told AFPTV.

From Barron's • Apr. 25, 2026

With an explosion that left my ears ringing well into the new year, the whole stove stood up on its hind legs.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

Related Words

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