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

Synonyms of detonation

• explosion
• eruption

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

In a joint statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said the strike was ordered in response to the detonation of a Hamas explosive device earlier on Saturday that wounded Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip. —Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 13 Dec. 2025

Sensors and telemetry systems onboard the QF-16 transmit detailed data during engagements, helping engineers evaluate missile accuracy, guidance performance, and detonation effectiveness. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 8 Dec. 2025

But the deadly explosive devices were discovered before detonation and made safe. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025

The Soviet scientists made onsite measurements during the detonation of one of our nuclear devices in August 1988. —Siegfried Hecker, Foreign Affairs, 26 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for detonation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation