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 of eruption

• 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

But the recent re-eruption of barbarism in the heart of the modern West exposes the many wrinkles in this story about the free world. —Victor J. Blue, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025

This eruption has lofted plumes several kilometers above the crater rim, leading authorities to keep the aviation color code elevated to orange. —Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025

These eruptions involve bright flares, sudden changes in extreme ultraviolet light or large loops visibly lifting off the sun's surface. —Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 21 Nov. 2025

Stardust seeks to market eruptions of its own. —Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 20 Nov. 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