erupt

verb

i-ˈrəpt 

erupted; erupting; erupts

intransitive verb

1

a(1)

: to burst from limits or restraint

(2)

of a tooth : to emerge through the gum

b

: to force out or release suddenly and often violently something (such as lava or steam) that is pent up

c

: to become active or violent especially suddenly : break forth

war could erupt at any moment

the audience erupted in applause

2

: to break out with or as if with a skin eruption

transitive verb

: to force out or release usually suddenly and violently

a volcano erupting lava and ash

eruptible

i-ˈrəp-tə-bəl 

adjective

eruptive

i-ˈrəp-tiv 

adjective

eruptively adverb

Synonyms of erupt

• eject
• expel
• spit
• emit
• spurt
• spew
• disgorge
• belch

Examples of erupt in a Sentence

The volcano erupted with tremendous force.

A bitter dispute has erupted among the members of the team.

Recent Examples on the Web

Social media put the storm’s effects on display, with videos of floodwaters leaving cars stranded on highways, stormwater runoff erupting onto city streets and waterfalls cascading onto the subway tracks at Penn Station. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 21 Aug. 2026

Fire erupted at the 500,000-square-foot warehouse on June 17 and roughly one week later, fire crews were finally able to extinguish it. — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Davis said Knight looked directly at him as the gunfire erupted, while Shakur appeared to be trying to climb into the back seat. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026

Otto couldn’t confirm early reports that explosions were heard just before the fire erupted. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin eruptus, past participle of erumpere to burst forth, from e- + rumpere to break — more at reave

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing erupt

• erupt in laughter

Rhymes for erupt

• abrupt
• corrupt
• disrupt
• cupped
• supped
• upped
• interrupt

Kids Definition

erupt

verb

i-ˈrəpt 

1

: to burst forth or cause to burst forth : explode

2

: to break through a surface

teeth erupting from the gum

3

: to break out with or as if with a skin eruption

eruptive

-ˈrəp-tiv 

adjective

Medical Definition

erupt

intransitive verb

i-ˈrəpt 

1

of a tooth : to emerge through the gum

2

: to break out (as with a skin eruption)

eruptive

-tiv 

adjective