burst also bursted; bursting
Definition of burst
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: to break open, apart, or into pieces usually from impact or from pressure from within
the balloon burst the pipes burst
2a
: 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
3a
: to emerge or spring suddenly
burst out of the house burst onto the scene burst into flames
4
: to be filled to the breaking point
bursting with excitement a crate bursting with fruit
1
: to cause to burst
burst a balloon
2a
: 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
burst at the seams
: to be larger, fuller, or more crowded than could reasonably have been anticipated
burst
nounDefinition of burst (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: a sudden outbreak
a burst of flames
especially
: a vehement outburst (as of emotion)
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)
Test Your Vocabulary
Eponyms: Words Named After People
-
- What is the best definition of boycott?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share burst
Time Traveler for burst
The first known use of burst was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century