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

The resulting detonations will result in explosions, flashes of light and clouds of smoke visible from a distance, the Navy said. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026

Officers were at the scene in Weisweiler Tuesday to secure evidence and check whether any additional, as yet undiscovered, detonation devices have been set up in the surrounding area, police said. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

The government said aspects of the drone, explosives and detonation technology were consistent with methods seen in previous Russian hybrid operations and in Moscow's war against Ukraine. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Successful detonation provides an early indication that the fuel can operate within the unusual environment created by an RDRE. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026

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