explosion
Americannoun
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an act or instance of exploding; a violent expansion or bursting with noise, as of gunpowder or a boiler (implosion ).
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the noise itself.
The loud explosion woke them.
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a violent outburst, as of laughter or anger.
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a sudden, rapid, or great increase.
a population explosion.
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the burning of the mixture of fuel and air in an internal-combustion engine.
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Phonetics. plosion.
noun
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the act or an instance of exploding
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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
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a sudden or violent outburst of activity, noise, emotion, etc
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a rapid increase, esp in a population
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phonetics another word for plosion
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.
In Iran’s capital, panicked Tehranis rushed to grocery stores to stockpile food and water as explosions sounded across the city.
"I am hearing explosions and fighter jets overhead," one resident of central Tehran said at around 9:45 am local time, before communications and internet access were cut.
From Barron's
A loud explosion shook apartment buildings, and a thick column of smoke churned from an impact site near fancy hotels along the Palm’s trunk.
The location matches verified footage filmed in Tehran in the aftermath of explosions in the area.
From BBC
Another told the BBC Weekend programme he heard fighter jets and two explosions early in the morning from his office in the north of the city.
From BBC
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.
