eruption

noun

erup·​tion i-ˈrəp-shən How to pronounce eruption (audio)
1
a
: an act, process, or instance of erupting
b
: the breaking out of a rash on the skin or mucous membrane
2
: a product of erupting (such as a skin rash)

Examples of eruption in a Sentence

a great eruption of glee as it suddenly dawned on her that she had won the eruption of the volcano Krakatoa was one of the most violent in global history
Recent Examples on the Web The two adults and two children inside the house were hospitalized, but miraculously survived and recovered despite the eruption leaving little left of the structure. David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 The ice could also still be polluted by natural sources such as wildfire smoke, dust or even ash from volcanic eruptions, Francis added. Laura Paddison, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 The most recent eruption, on February 8, gushed lava from a fissure nearly two miles long in a similar region as the December eruption, cutting off hot water for thousands of residents. Maya Wei-Haas, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Feb. 2024 Shortly after the eruption’s conclusion, scientists, watching the magma reservoir continue to inflate, suspected that another eruption is imminent. Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2024 That eruption came a night after shooting 1 for 11 (but with 11 assists) in Sacramento. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2024 The intense eruption lasted a few days and stayed outside Grindavík. Robin George Andrews, Quanta Magazine, 20 Feb. 2024 With all the sensors the National Park Service and USGS have in place, Wildly said visitors don’t need to worry about eruptions because warning signs would come days, weeks or even months in advance. Eve Chen, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2024 An eruption eventually occurred there on December 18, 2023 with a second eruption on January 14, 2024. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 8 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'eruption.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of eruption was in 1555

Dictionary Entries Near eruption

Cite this Entry

“Eruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eruption. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

eruption

noun
erup·​tion i-ˈrəp-shən How to pronounce eruption (audio)
1
: an act, process, or instance of erupting
2
: a product (as a skin rash) of erupting

Medical Definition

eruption

noun
erup·​tion i-ˈrəp-shən How to pronounce eruption (audio)
1
: an act, process, or instance of erupting
the eruption of the tooth from the gum
specifically : the breaking out of an exanthem or enanthem on the skin or mucous membrane (as in measles)
2
: something produced by an act or process of erupting: as
a
: the condition of the skin or mucous membrane caused by erupting
b
: one of the lesions (as a pustule) constituting this condition

More from Merriam-Webster on eruption

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