burst

1 of 2

verb

ˈbərst 

burst also bursted; bursting

intransitive verb

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

a

: to emerge or spring suddenly

burst out of the house

burst onto the scene

burst into flames

b

: launch, plunge

burst into song

4

: to be filled to the breaking point

bursting with excitement

a crate bursting with fruit

transitive verb

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

see also:

burst at the seams burst someone's bubble

burst

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a sudden outbreak

a burst of flames

especially : a vehement outburst (as of emotion)

b

: explosion, eruption

a burst of violence

c

: a sudden intense effort

a burst of speed

d

: the duration of fire in one engagement of the mechanism of an automatic firearm

bursts of machine-gun fire

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 of burst

Verb

• explode
• detonate
• pop
• blow

Noun

• flurry
• outburst
• spurt

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Bake for 25 minutes, until the tomatoes have burst and the gnocchi have a slight crisp. — ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026

Besides the brand’s proprietary Ceramide Skin Complex, which features encapsulated ceramides (that immediately burst and melt into your skin upon contact), glycerin and shea butter also help attract and lock in moisture. — Sarah Han, Allure, 24 Sep. 2026

Noun

The soundtrack is filled with layered mixing punctuated by the occasional burst of operatic or choral music (the score is credited to ten people, including Reygadas). — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026

So for him, that would be a quick burst and some lateral side-to-side stuff. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026

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

Phrases Containing burst

• air burst
• burst at the seams
• burst/explode into flames
• burst in on
• burst into
• burst into tears
• burst on the scene
• burst out
• burst out laughing
• burst someone's bubble
• fit to burst
• gamma-ray burst
• ground burst

Rhymes for burst

• cursed
• curst
• durst
• first
• hirst
• nursed
• pursed
• thirst
• versed
• worst
• accursed
• amerced

Kids Definition

burst

1 of 2 verb

ˈbərst 

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 noun

1

: a sudden release or effort

a burst of speed

2

: a firing of many shots at the same time