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

However, eruptions and lava flows have been conspicuous by their absence. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Together, these tools offered astronomers extraordinary insights into GRBs—extremely luminous eruptions that occur in distant galaxies when massive stars explode or collide, sometimes leaving behind neutron stars or black holes. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 4 Nov. 2026

Jalin Holland scored 18 points on 8-for-12 shooting and Colorado went on a second-half offensive eruption to dismantle Abilene Christian 94-59 in a season opener on Monday night. — ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026

But a crisis—such as a military coup, another volcanic eruption of Mount Paektu, or an economic meltdown—can change those assumptions swiftly. — Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026

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