eruption

noun

erup·​tion i-ˈrəp-shən How to pronounce eruption (audio)
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)

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 The most recent eruption in the U.S. is occurring right now, said Klemetti. Erica Lamberg, Fox News, 18 Nov. 2023 The iconic Blue Lagoon has extended its closure through the end of the month as Iceland continues to prepare for a likely volcanic eruption following an increase in seismic activity. Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2023 In 2010, a series of major eruptions at the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland produced an enormous ash cloud that blanketed the area, causing extensive air travel cancellations across Europe. Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 17 Nov. 2023 Scientists suspect that the 2021 eruption kicked off a decades-long period of fissure eruptions across the peninsula; something similar happened 800 years prior. WIRED, 16 Nov. 2023 Features World The Fragility of Civilization Mike Watson Strategies for surviving the eruption. Heather Wilhelm, National Review, 9 Nov. 2023 That’s what happened 250 million years ago at the end of the Permian Period, when acid rain and other fallout from volcanic eruptions killed 90 percent of the species on the planet. Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 1 Nov. 2023 During the eruption, which had been going on for several weeks, lava was continuously ejected. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 27 Oct. 2023 Is an eruption coming? Oct. 23, 2023 The earthquake occurred at a depth of 6.5 miles. Quakebot, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'eruption.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of eruption was in 1555

Dictionary Entries Near eruption

Cite this Entry

“Eruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eruption. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

eruption

noun
erup·​tion i-ˈrəp-shən How to pronounce eruption (audio)
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 How to pronounce eruption (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on eruption

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