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
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.
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 See All Example Sentences for eruption

Word History

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of eruption was in 1555

Cite this Entry

“Eruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eruption. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

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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