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

Small explosions happen within the park every few years and generally present localized dangers. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026

Unlike other successful launches, the incident appears to have been downplayed on China’s state media with scant mention of the explosion. — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

Its front door was six inches too short for its frame and outfitted with a bathroom push knob instead of a lever handle, almost as if the original slab had been blown from its casing by an internal explosion. — Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026

City officials addressed the explosion during a press conference on Tuesday. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 11 Aug. 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