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 detonation of a nuclear weapon in low-Earth orbit would likely destroy or incapacitate thousands of satellites, disabling critical military and civilian networks providing surveillance and communication services. —Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026

For nine years, this has been his life’s work: the math, the emptiness, the detonations. —Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 6 May 2026

The idea for the massive detonation tunnel began as an inquiry from the coal mining industry. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 6 May 2026

According to Astrobotic, this detonation process leads to an increase in specific impulse, or engine efficiency, of 15 percent. —Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 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