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

• blast
• blowup
• burst
• bursting
• eruption
• explosion
• outburst

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 this eastern district, two men were killed and another wounded on May 7 by the detonation of a Russian POM-2 mine laid during the occupation. —Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025

And always in the background is our awareness of Mado’s homemade explosive, packed into a lunch pail, awaiting detonation. —Alida Becker, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025

This is very close to the Chandrasekhar limit, which is 1.44 solar masses, and is the point at which the thermonuclear detonation overcomes the white dwarf and blows it to smithereens as a Type Ia supernova. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2025

Ultimately more than 300 pounds of explosive precursor materials, hazardous chemicals, firearms and remote detonation devices were found in his home, vehicle and office, prosecutors said. —Alex Stone, ABC News, 29 Apr. 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