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Synonyms

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 (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 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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.

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”; explode ) + -iō -ion

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.

The filings in Los Angeles County Superior Court show Cal/OSHA began its investigation into the working conditions and training provided to the deceased detectives three days after the explosion.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

He also said a controlled explosion has been carried out on a suspect vehicle, but that the operation remains ongoing.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

The real cause for the explosion in torn ulnar collateral ligaments is now believed to be high velocities.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

"The galaxy has such complex structure that it's not 100% clear if there's anything left to see of the explosion, but if there is, it's really faint."

From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026

Mr. Neely made a weird explosion gesture with his hands, and someone in the back of the room giggled, which only seemed to encourage him.

From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller

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.