eruption

noun

erup·​tion i-ˈrəp-shən 

1

a

: an act, process, or instance of erupting

b

: the breaking out of a rash on the skin or mucous membrane

2

: a product of erupting (such as a skin rash)

Synonyms

• explosion
• outburst
• burst

Examples of eruption in a Sentence

a great eruption of glee as it suddenly dawned on her that she had won

the eruption of the volcano Krakatoa was one of the most violent in global history

Recent Examples on the Web

Two years later, 19 people died following an eruption which devastated the south of the island and buried the capital, Plymouth, as well as its only airport at the time. —Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025

The recent eruption of speculative names reminds Cramer of the dotcom boom and bust 25 years ago. —Julie Coleman, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025

Positioned along the Pacific Ring of Fire, the country is highly susceptible to earthquakes, eruptions, and typhoons. —Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025

Brazilian photojournalists on either side, both women, hugged me in an eruption of ebullience in the Lumière. —Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing eruption

• creeping eruption
• post-eruption

Rhymes for eruption

• corruption
• disruption
• irruption
• incorruption
• interruption

Kids Definition

eruption

noun

erup·​tion i-ˈrəp-shən 

1

: an act, process, or instance of erupting

2

: a product (as a skin rash) of erupting

Medical Definition

eruption

noun

erup·​tion i-ˈrəp-shən 

1

: an act, process, or instance of erupting

the eruption of the tooth from the gum

specifically : the breaking out of an exanthem or enanthem on the skin or mucous membrane (as in measles)

2

: something produced by an act or process of erupting: as

a

: the condition of the skin or mucous membrane caused by erupting

b

: one of the lesions (as a pustule) constituting this condition