erupt

verb

i-ˈrəpt 

erupted; erupting; erupts

intransitive verb

1

a(1)

: to burst from limits or restraint

(2)

of a tooth : to emerge through the gum

b

: to force out or release suddenly and often violently something (such as lava or steam) that is pent up

c

: to become active or violent especially suddenly : break forth

war could erupt at any moment

the audience erupted in applause

2

: to break out with or as if with a skin eruption

transitive verb

: to force out or release usually suddenly and violently

a volcano erupting lava and ash

eruptible

i-ˈrəp-tə-bəl 

adjective

eruptive

i-ˈrəp-tiv 

adjective

eruptively adverb

Synonyms

• belch
• disgorge
• eject
• eruct
• expel
• jet
• spew
• spout
• spurt

Examples of erupt in a Sentence

The volcano erupted with tremendous force.

A bitter dispute has erupted among the members of the team.

Recent Examples on the Web

Screams erupted as men wrestled a pipe from a masked protester who had emerged from the encampment. —Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2024

The Northern Lights could make an appearance in Wisconsin skies on Friday night, May 10, or early on May 11 after a large cloud of plasma erupted into space, according to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. —Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 9 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin eruptus, past participle of erumpere to burst forth, from e- + rumpere to break — more at reave

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing erupt

• erupt in laughter

Kids Definition

erupt

verb

i-ˈrəpt 

1

: to burst forth or cause to burst forth : explode

2

: to break through a surface

teeth erupting from the gum

3

: to break out with or as if with a skin eruption

eruptive

-ˈrəp-tiv 

adjective

Medical Definition

erupt

intransitive verb

i-ˈrəpt 

1

of a tooth : to emerge through the gum

2

: to break out (as with a skin eruption)

eruptive

-tiv 

adjective