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
see also:
Examples of burst in a Sentence
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!”.
Recent Examples on the Web
Temperatures in the afternoon reach high into the 90s, thunderstorms burst from the skies in a deluge, and the humidity makes everything feel heavy and sticky.
—
Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 3 June 2026
Steve Hilton has painted California as a state bursting with potential that has lost its way under Democratic leadership in his bid to be the state's first Republican governor in more than 15 years.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
The Walt Disney Concert Hall shop has become a Dudamel-torium, aisles bursting with Gustavo T-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, refrigerator magnets and this and that.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
The seafood chowder with crab meat, shrimp, and conch is comfortingly creamy, while the Jamaican-style Wagyu beef cheek curry is bursting with flavor.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for burst
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Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 3 June 2026
Steve Hilton has painted California as a state bursting with potential that has lost its way under Democratic leadership in his bid to be the state's first Republican governor in more than 15 years.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
The Walt Disney Concert Hall shop has become a Dudamel-torium, aisles bursting with Gustavo T-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, refrigerator magnets and this and that.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
The seafood chowder with crab meat, shrimp, and conch is comfortingly creamy, while the Jamaican-style Wagyu beef cheek curry is bursting with flavor.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for burst
Cite this Entry
“Burst.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burst. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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