explosion

noun

ex·​plo·​sion ik-ˈsplō-zhən 

1

: the act or an instance of exploding

injured in a laboratory explosion

2

: a large-scale, rapid, or spectacular expansion or bursting out or forth

the explosion of suburbia

an explosion of red hair

3

: the release of occluded breath that occurs in one kind of articulation of stop consonants

Synonyms

• blast
• blowup
• burst
• bursting
• detonation
• eruption
• outburst

Examples of explosion in a Sentence

The filmmakers staged the car's explosion.

The island was rocked by a series of volcanic explosions.

The region has experienced a population explosion.

His comments prompted an explosion of laughter from the crowd.

Recent Examples on the Web

That 17-point explosion in the fourth quarter was the on-court highlight. —William Guillory, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025

While the fiery explosion is enough to make Emily and Matt believe that Chuck is dead, her ex-boyfriend and fellow agent Baron (Scott) believes otherwise. —Emily Blackwood, People.com, 22 Jan. 2025

If so desired, extra time can be spent on the Lions’ 52-point explosion in a Week 8 victory over the Tennessee Titans. —Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025

Around the same time, bystander videos taken from cruise ships and resorts across the Caribbean showed what appeared to be a large explosion in the sky, followed by a spray of brightly colored shooting stars. —Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 17 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin explosion-, explosio act of driving off by clapping, from explodere

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing explosion

• population explosion

Kids Definition

explosion

noun

ex·​plo·​sion ik-ˈsplō-zhən 

1

: the act or an instance of exploding

2

: a violent outburst of feeling

Medical Definition

explosion

noun

ex·​plo·​sion ik-ˈsplō-zhən 

: the act or an instance of exploding