burst also bursted; bursting
1
: to break open, apart, or into pieces usually from impact or from pressure from within
the balloon burst
the pipes burst
2
a
: to give way from an excess of emotion
my heart will burst
b
: to give vent suddenly to a repressed emotion
burst into tears
burst out laughing
3
4
: to be filled to the breaking point
bursting with excitement
a crate bursting with fruit
1
: to cause to burst
burst a balloon
2
a
: to force open (something, such as a door or a way) by strong or vigorous action
b
: to flood over
the river burst its banks
3
: to produce by or as if by bursting
1
2
: an act of bursting
the burst of a bubble
a burst of confidence
3
: a result of bursting
had the plumber fix the burst
especially, firearms
: a visible puff accompanying the explosion of a shell (see shell entry 1 sense 9b)
Synonyms
Examples of burst in a Sentence
Verb
Two of the water pipes burst.
He burst a blood vessel.
The doors suddenly burst open.
The cops burst the door open.
He burst into the room.
The sun burst through the clouds.
She burst through the door and yelled “Surprise!”.
Noun
She ran hard in short bursts toward the end of the race.
the burst of a bubble
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Recent Examples on the Web
Maia Torres, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2023
On this day two decades ago, The Bernie Mac Show burst onto the small screen, introducing audiences to the comedic brilliance of the late, great Bernie Mac.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 14 Nov. 2023
The group entered a devastated area north of Gaza City via the border fence that Hamas terrorists burst through on Oct. 7.
—NBC News, 6 Nov. 2023
But as the Huskies tried to punt, Robinson burst through the line in a blazing bit of redemption, overwhelming the punter.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2023
From stretchy yoga pants to cozy top layers, and even relaxed-fitting jumpsuits, the retailer’s sale section is practically bursting at the seams with versatile apparel that will secure your spot as the best dressed traveler from the airport to the streets of your destination.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 30 Oct. 2023
Eve burst onto the scene as the Ruff Ryders’ First Lady in 1999.
—Essence Beauty Editors, Essence, 10 Nov. 2023
The cranberries will pop and burst, and the sauce will thicken and glisten.
—Aleksandra Crapanzano / Photographs By F. Martin Ramin/the Wall Street Journal, Food Styling By Kim Ramin , WSJ, 10 Nov. 2023
As a dating app founded by a woman and designed for women, Bumble burst onto the scene as a breath of fresh air.
—Paolo Confino, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2023
Winnie Hu Emma Rose Milligan, New York Times, 22 Nov. 2023
Most scotch whisky is aged in used barrels, predominantly ex-bourbon, and the use of virgin oak tends to give the liquid a burst of flavor with notes of oak, vanilla, gentle smoke, and stone fruit.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 22 Nov. 2023
Advertisement One of the seniors in the group can’t help but share her burst of African pride.
—Tyrone Beason, Los Angeles Times, 16 Nov. 2023
The Rooms Climbing the stairs to my 970-square-foot tree house suite felt like entering Eden — swaying palms and bursts of bright yellow flowers provided ample privacy while offering glimpses of the sea from the spacious, wraparound terrace.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 12 Nov. 2023
At times, Udu barked or screamed into the mic for emotional effect, the lyrics garbled in a burst of post-teenage angst.
—Cameron Cook, Pitchfork, 7 Nov. 2023
The eight-billion-year-old burst is more than half the universe’s age, which is about 13.7 billion years.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Nov. 2023
Lincoln got the ball first in the second OT and after three runs by Jackson, Donald Reed III put the Hornets up 45-38 with a 13-yard burst up the middle.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2023
Your body expels a forceful burst of air through your nose and mouth, getting rid of foreign invaders.
—Health Editorial Team, Health, 10 Nov. 2023
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Verb
Colorful sparks burst in harmony, leaving guests in awe of the spectacle that painted the night sky.
—Maia Torres, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2023
On this day two decades ago, The Bernie Mac Show burst onto the small screen, introducing audiences to the comedic brilliance of the late, great Bernie Mac.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 14 Nov. 2023
The group entered a devastated area north of Gaza City via the border fence that Hamas terrorists burst through on Oct. 7.
—NBC News, 6 Nov. 2023
But as the Huskies tried to punt, Robinson burst through the line in a blazing bit of redemption, overwhelming the punter.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2023
From stretchy yoga pants to cozy top layers, and even relaxed-fitting jumpsuits, the retailer’s sale section is practically bursting at the seams with versatile apparel that will secure your spot as the best dressed traveler from the airport to the streets of your destination.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 30 Oct. 2023
Eve burst onto the scene as the Ruff Ryders’ First Lady in 1999.
—Essence Beauty Editors, Essence, 10 Nov. 2023
The cranberries will pop and burst, and the sauce will thicken and glisten.
—Aleksandra Crapanzano / Photographs By F. Martin Ramin/the Wall Street Journal, Food Styling By Kim Ramin , WSJ, 10 Nov. 2023
As a dating app founded by a woman and designed for women, Bumble burst onto the scene as a breath of fresh air.
—Paolo Confino, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2023
Noun
Still, in 2005, an M&M balloon swung out of control from sudden wind bursts and hit a light pole in Times Square, injuring two people.
—Winnie Hu Emma Rose Milligan, New York Times, 22 Nov. 2023
Most scotch whisky is aged in used barrels, predominantly ex-bourbon, and the use of virgin oak tends to give the liquid a burst of flavor with notes of oak, vanilla, gentle smoke, and stone fruit.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 22 Nov. 2023
Advertisement One of the seniors in the group can’t help but share her burst of African pride.
—Tyrone Beason, Los Angeles Times, 16 Nov. 2023
The Rooms Climbing the stairs to my 970-square-foot tree house suite felt like entering Eden — swaying palms and bursts of bright yellow flowers provided ample privacy while offering glimpses of the sea from the spacious, wraparound terrace.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 12 Nov. 2023
At times, Udu barked or screamed into the mic for emotional effect, the lyrics garbled in a burst of post-teenage angst.
—Cameron Cook, Pitchfork, 7 Nov. 2023
The eight-billion-year-old burst is more than half the universe’s age, which is about 13.7 billion years.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Nov. 2023
Lincoln got the ball first in the second OT and after three runs by Jackson, Donald Reed III put the Hornets up 45-38 with a 13-yard burst up the middle.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2023
Your body expels a forceful burst of air through your nose and mouth, getting rid of foreign invaders.
—Health Editorial Team, Health, 10 Nov. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'burst.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English bersten, from Old English berstan; akin to Old High German brestan to burst
Noun
derivative of burst entry 1
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun
circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of burst was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing burst
Dictionary Entries Near burst
Cite this Entry
“Burst.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burst. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
burst
1 of 2 verb
burst; bursting
1
a
: to break open or in pieces (as by an explosion from within)
the balloon burst
buds bursting open
b
: to cause to burst
2
a
: to suddenly show one's feelings
burst into tears
b
: to begin to do something suddenly
burst into song
3
: to come or go suddenly
burst into the room
4
: to be filled to the breaking point
just bursting with energy
burst
2 of 2 noun1
: a sudden release or effort
a burst of speed
2
: a firing of many shots at the same time
More from Merriam-Webster on burst
Nglish: Translation of burst for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of burst for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about burst
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