implosion

noun

im·​plo·​sion im-ˈplō-zhən 

1

: the action of imploding

2

: the act or action of bringing to or as if to a center

also : integration

This implosion of cultures makes realistic for the first time the age-old vision of a world culture …

—Kenneth Keniston

3

: the inrush of air in forming a suction stop

implosive

im-ˈplō-siv 

-ziv

adjective or noun

Examples of implosion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Sony Classic pick-up comes after Poetic License was caught up in the implosion of Row K, the upstart distribution company that saw the exit of its top executives after the company faced reported money troubles. — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 2026

Just the near-implosion of soccer’s governing body and all that is wholesome in the sport. — Emily Olsen, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Another big plank of Daunt’s strategy is to continue improving stores and to open stores in markets Barnes & Noble abandoned during its 2010s-era implosion. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026

The site became available on the heels of two bankruptcies and the ultimate implosion of Rite-Aid, which ceased operations in October 2025 after closing all of its remaining physical stores. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 31 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

in- entry 2 + -plosion (as in explosion)

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for implosion

• corrosion
• erosion
• explosion

Kids Definition

implosion

noun

im·​plo·​sion im-ˈplō-zhən 

: the action of imploding

implosive

-ˈplō-siv 

-ziv

adjective