detonation
noun
det·o·na·tion
ˌde-tᵊn-ˈā-shən 
ˌde-tə-ˈnā-
1
: the action or process of detonating
2
: rapid combustion in an internal combustion engine that results in knocking
Examples of detonation in a Sentence
there was a series of detonations around the base of the condemned building, causing it to come crashing down in a matter of minutes
Recent Examples on the Web
Trump on Friday refused to clarify whether the United States plans to resume underground nuclear detonation tests, following a social media post that appeared to suggest such a move for the first time in three decades.
—
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
The detonation is contained by the rock, reducing the risk of atmospheric fallout.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 30 Oct. 2025
Israel did not confirm its involvement in the immediate aftermath of the detonations, which came after months of Hezbollah rocket attacks on northern Israel, which had ratcheted up in the wake of the October 7, 2023 attacks on Southern Israel.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
Debris would likely fall from the sky a short time after detonation.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonation
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Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
The detonation is contained by the rock, reducing the risk of atmospheric fallout.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 30 Oct. 2025
Israel did not confirm its involvement in the immediate aftermath of the detonations, which came after months of Hezbollah rocket attacks on northern Israel, which had ratcheted up in the wake of the October 7, 2023 attacks on Southern Israel.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
Debris would likely fall from the sky a short time after detonation.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonation
Cite this Entry
“Detonation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detonation. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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