detonator

noun

det·​o·​na·​tor ˈde-tᵊn-ˌā-tər How to pronounce detonator (audio)
-tə-ˌnā-
: a device or small quantity of explosive used for detonating a high explosive

Examples of detonator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In 2019, two friends from far north suburban Zion, Edward Schimenti and Joseph Jones, were convicted of attempting to aid the Islamic State terrorist group by providing cellphones to an undercover FBI agent to be used as detonators for bombs. Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025 At five miles down, the bomb’s fin radar system activated the detonator. Literary Hub, 24 July 2025 Hidden in his black high-top sneakers were plastic explosives and a makeshift detonator. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 11 July 2025 Precision hand-work like soldering detonators, balancing rotors, and packing warheads remains hard to automate at scale without a bespoke factory line. Harry Law, Time, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for detonator

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of detonator was in 1822

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Detonator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detonator. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

detonator

noun
det·​o·​na·​tor ˈdet-ᵊn-ˌāt-ər How to pronounce detonator (audio)
-ə-ˌnāt-
: a device or small quantity of explosive used for detonating another explosive

More from Merriam-Webster on detonator

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!