detonation

noun

det·​o·​na·​tion ˌde-tᵊn-ˈā-shən 

ˌde-tə-ˈnā-

1

: the action or process of detonating

2

: rapid combustion in an internal combustion engine that results in knocking

Synonyms

• blast
• blowup
• burst
• bursting
• eruption
• explosion
• outburst

Examples of detonation in a Sentence

there was a series of detonations around the base of the condemned building, causing it to come crashing down in a matter of minutes

Recent Examples on the Web

This series of blows began most notably in September with the large-scale detonations of communications devices used by the Lebanese Hezbollah movement in an act universally attributed to Israel, followed by the killing of the group's longtime leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in an Israeli airstrike. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 12 Jan. 2025

Advertisement The devices were wired for remote detonation, and a corresponding remote control was discovered inside the attacker’s truck, according to a Louisiana State Police intelligence bulletin obtained by the Associated Press. —Eric Tucker, Jim Mustian, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025

The sounds were likely detonations from explosive drones that a new Haitian police task force has been dropping on some gang strongholds. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2025

The detonation sent chunks of debris raining down over the area, creating a dazzling artificial meteor shower for people in The Bahamas and Florida's Space Coast, among other locales. —Mike Wall, Space.com, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for detonation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation