detonation

noun det·o·na·tion \ ˌde-tᵊn-ˈā-shən , ˌde-tə-ˈnā- \

Updated on: 8 Apr 2018

Definition of detonation

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 of detonation from the Web

Blue Grass will use a different type of neutralization on some weapons and will destroy others in a closed detonation chamber.

— dan elliott, chicagotribune.com, "Over budget and behind schedule, U.S. plant to destroy chemical weapons a hazard to workers," 29 Mar. 2018
Italian bomb experts have moved to the sea for safe detonation a 500-pound (225-kilo) British bomb from World War II, accidentally dug up in an Adriatic town.

— Fox News, "World War II British bomb removed from Italian Adriatic town," 14 Mar. 2018
Before Austin police raised the possibility of a tripwire being used in the explosion, many people on social media assumed this was another package bomb detonation.

— samantha ketterer, Houston Chronicle, "Authorities plea to suspected 'serial bomber' after fourth attack this month," 19 Mar. 2018
At close range, the shock from these bombs could cause serious damage to the submarines, but close detonations were difficult, The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia states.

— dana dovey, Newsweek, "Mysterious Ocean Craters Off the Coast of Iceland Defy Scientific Explanation," 13 Mar. 2018
Some burn out in massive detonations visible clear across the cosmos; others fade away, thought to leave behind planet-size carbon corpses crystalized into diamond.

— yasemin saplakoglu, Scientific American, "Watch Now: The Weirdest Stars in the Universe," 8 Mar. 2018
The effect is reduced by 23 percent if the detonation occurs on the ground.

— popular mechanics editors, Popular Mechanics, "What To Do in a Nuclear Attack," 7 Feb. 2018
There is no doubt that a nuclear detonation would be an unspeakable and complex tragedy.

— irwin redlener, Time, "This Is What You Should Do During a Nuclear Alert," 19 Jan. 2018
The launch was part of an escalating series of weapons tests last year -- including a likely hydrogen bomb detonation in September -- that alarmed Kim’s neighbors and prompted the United Nations to severely restrict trade to the country.

— Bloomberg.com, "Trump Sees Sign of Progress in Possible North Korea Talks With U.S.," 6 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'detonation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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detonation

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