blast

¹blast

noun \ˈblast\

Definition of BLAST

1

a : a violent gust of wind

b : the effect or accompaniment (as sleet) of such a gust

2

: the sound produced by an impulsion of air through a wind instrument or whistle

3

: something resembling a gust of wind: as

a : a stream of air or gas forced through a hole

b : a vehement outburst

c : the continuous blowing to which a charge of ore or metal is subjected in a blast furnace

4

a : a sudden pernicious influence or effect <the blast of a huge epidemic>

b : a disease of plants marked by the formation of destructive lesions on leaves and inflorescences

5

a : an explosion or violent detonation

b : the shock wave of an explosion

c : a forceful hit (as in baseball) or shot (as in soccer or golf); especially : home run

6

: speed, capacity, operation <go full blast> <in full blast>

7

: an enjoyably exciting experience, occasion, or event <I had a blast>; especially : party

— blast from the past

: a striking reminder of an earlier time : something that excites nostalgia

Examples of BLAST

1. She opened the door and felt a cold blast.
2. He was hit by a blast of water from the hose.
3. The driver gave a long blast on his horn.
4. the blast of the factory whistle
5. The bomb blast killed eight people.

Origin of BLAST

Middle English, from Old English blǣst; akin to Old High German blāst blast, blāsan to blow, Old English blāwan — more at blow

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to BLAST

Synonyms

bang, clap, boom, crack, crash, pop, report, slam, smash, snap, thunderclap, thwack, whack, whomp, whump

Antonyms

implosion

Related Words

thunk, wham; clang, clangor, clank, clash; knock, rap, tap; blare, clamor, howl, hubbub, hue and cry, hullabaloo, outcry, roar, tumult, uproar

Rhymes with BLAST

bast, cast, clast, fast, gast, ghast, last, mast, Nast, past, vast

²blast

verb

Definition of BLAST

intransitive verb

1

: blare <music blasting from the radio>

2

: to make a vigorous attack

3

a : to use an explosive

b : shoot

4

: to hit a golf ball out of a sand trap with explosive force

5

: to proceed rapidly or aggressively <blasting down the ski slope>

transitive verb

1

a : to injure by or as if by the action of wind

b : blight

2

a : to shatter by or as if by an explosive

b : to remove, open, or form by or as if by an explosive

c : shoot

3

: to attack vigorously

4

: to cause to blast off <will blast themselves from the moon's surface>

5

: to hit vigorously and effectively <blasted a home run>

6

: to play loudly <blasting rock music on the stereo>

— blast·er noun

Examples of BLAST

1. Workers were blasting rock where the new highway will go.
2. The rock has been blasted away.
3. The explosion blasted a hole in the side of the ship.
4. The mayor was blasted by the local press.
5. The judge blasted the lawyers for delaying the trial.
6. Human rights groups have blasted the government for its treatment of political prisoners.
7. He blasted his rival with a pistol.
8. A gunship blasted enemy headquarters.
9. They blasted the enemy plane out of the sky.

First Known Use of BLAST

14th century

Related to BLAST

Synonyms

blow, blow up, burst, demolish, explode, pop, shatter, smash

Antonyms

crawl, creep, poke

Related Words

dynamite; annihilate, decimate, destroy; ruin, wreck; detonate, discharge; fragment, splinter

Near Antonyms

collapse, implode