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 of explosion

• eruption
• detonation

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

One resident, Iryna Barisenkova, recalled hearing loud explosions while traveling on public transport. — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026

Captain Dixon says thankfully things were much calmer on Monday compared to Sunday, when there were constant Mayday calls from a man overboard to a sinking vessel — even an explosion at a dock nearby as a boat was refueling. — Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

For reporters covering the war in Ukraine, access to the front line seems to remain a kind of gold standard, with the implication that the closer one is to explosions and violence, the closer one is to the true reality of war. — Nick Holdstock, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026

Late Tuesday, oil spiked for the second time in 24 hours after Iranian state media reported explosions in the area of Kharg Island. — Gordon Lubold, NBC news, 8 Sep. 2026

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