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 remains of a third service member who is believed to be the soldier missing after the Jordan attacks will also be returned, the official said, as well as the remains of a soldier killed in Iraq during a detonation of an Iranian drone. — ABC News, 22 July 2026

Another service member was injured during the detonation and received medical treatment. — Eric MacK, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

The third was killed Saturday during the detonation of an Iranian drone in Iraq. — Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

If Russia moves in this direction, a nuclear detonation in low-Earth orbit could be the ultimate Starlink killer. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 16 July 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