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

• 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

However, building an actual weapon would require additional technology, such as a detonation device. —Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025

The detonation of the bombs brought a terrible wonder, a soundless blast of light and colors never seen before, and never seen again. —R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

Five were core-collapsing massive stars, and five were the detonation of white dwarfs. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 19 Aug. 2025

In frustration, the AEC turned to another Plowshare experiment, Project Gnome, a detonation in New Mexico expected to be fully contained underground. —Shoshi Parks, Popular Science, 14 Aug. 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