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
Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 30 June 2025
The Cow burst onto the scene as an indictment of the rural poverty in which millions of Iranians lived.
—Tiara Ataii, Vulture, 24 June 2025
Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
April 2025 The Star: The cards suggest April will bring a refreshing burst of hope and clarity for you, Aries, as The Star invites you to reconnect with your dreams and aspirations.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for burst
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Verb
The actor and writer burst onto the scene at only 17 years old when director Michael Mayer found him and cast him as Ernst in the off-Broadway production of Spring Awakening, a role Glick reprised in the hit Broadway production.
—Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 30 June 2025
The Cow burst onto the scene as an indictment of the rural poverty in which millions of Iranians lived.
—Tiara Ataii, Vulture, 24 June 2025
Noun
The Venetian police’s hybrids, recently aquired, are by Huracan Marine, designed to run on diesel when the cops need bursts of speed, and on electricity when slow cruising is required.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
April 2025 The Star: The cards suggest April will bring a refreshing burst of hope and clarity for you, Aries, as The Star invites you to reconnect with your dreams and aspirations.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 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 14 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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