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

From Ediacaran Precursors To The Cambrian Explosion The discovery and classification of Dickinsonia have had profound implications for our understanding of the Cambrian explosion. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025

Authorities also said there was a vehicle on fire, which has since been put out, at the address of the house explosion. —Kelly Murray, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025

The cause of the explosion is under investigation by the Travis County Fire Marshal. —Mitchell Willetts, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Apr. 2025

Two of the injured were firefighters responding to the blast, both suffering minor injuries in the 11:30 a.m. explosion, officials said Sunday afternoon. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 13 Apr. 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

Rhymes for explosion

• corrosion
• erosion
• implosion

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