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)
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
Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 19 June 2025
France’s Nolan Traoré, who burst onto the international scene after sparkling at the 2024 Hoop Summit, was thought of as a potential high lottery pick this time last year, but an inconsistent season playing for Saint-Quentin in France’s LNB Pro A League has slowed his roll.
—David Aldridge, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Sophia Bush, Time, 20 June 2025
In a burst of architectural brilliance, a pair of striking glass hallways connect the two wings of the main house, one spotlighting views of a cascading creek and the other lush landscaping.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for burst
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Verb
Fort Erie bursts with American tourists in the summertime, but today is empty on a gray May morning.
—Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 19 June 2025
France’s Nolan Traoré, who burst onto the international scene after sparkling at the 2024 Hoop Summit, was thought of as a potential high lottery pick this time last year, but an inconsistent season playing for Saint-Quentin in France’s LNB Pro A League has slowed his roll.
—David Aldridge, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Noun
Pride Month tends to arrive in a confetti burst of color.
—Sophia Bush, Time, 20 June 2025
In a burst of architectural brilliance, a pair of striking glass hallways connect the two wings of the main house, one spotlighting views of a cascading creek and the other lush landscaping.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for burst
Cite this Entry
“Burst.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burst. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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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