detonator
noun
det·o·na·tor
ˈde-tᵊn-ˌā-tər 
-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
Three detonators ensure detonation regardless of the contact angle.
—
Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
The investigators soon determined that the devices in the IKEA bag were detonators, capable of triggering an explosion or a fire.
—Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2026
When the time was right, Motele hit the detonator, ran out of the building and the bomb exploded.
—Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 27 Jan. 2026
On Wednesday, according to the Ukrainian military, they were involved in an attack on a mechanical plant in the Russian city of Saransk – nearly 800 kilometers (497 miles) from the Ukrainian border – where detonators and mines are manufactured.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonator
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.
Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
The investigators soon determined that the devices in the IKEA bag were detonators, capable of triggering an explosion or a fire.
—Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2026
When the time was right, Motele hit the detonator, ran out of the building and the bomb exploded.
—Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 27 Jan. 2026
On Wednesday, according to the Ukrainian military, they were involved in an attack on a mechanical plant in the Russian city of Saransk – nearly 800 kilometers (497 miles) from the Ukrainian border – where detonators and mines are manufactured.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonator
Cite this Entry
“Detonator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detonator. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
detonator
noun
det·o·na·tor
ˈdet-ᵊn-ˌāt-ər
-ə-ˌnāt-
: a device or small quantity of explosive used for detonating another explosive
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
