explosion

noun

ex·​plo·​sion ik-ˈsplō-zhən 

1

: the act or an instance of exploding

injured in a laboratory explosion

2

: a large-scale, rapid, or spectacular expansion or bursting out or forth

the explosion of suburbia

an explosion of red hair

3

: the release of occluded breath that occurs in one kind of articulation of stop consonants

Synonyms of explosion

• eruption
• detonation

Examples of explosion in a Sentence

The filmmakers staged the car's explosion.

The island was rocked by a series of volcanic explosions.

The region has experienced a population explosion.

His comments prompted an explosion of laughter from the crowd.

Recent Examples on the Web

Mitchell’s explosion came 39 years and a day after Floyd dropped his 39 second-half points against the Los Angeles Lakers on May 10, 1987. —Darnell Mayberry, New York Times, 12 May 2026

Miami Famous/Instagram Eyewitness Joseph Levy's camera was able to capture the massive response by more than 25 rescue units after the explosion was reported at the popular area. —Steve Maugeri, CBS News, 11 May 2026

An explosion targeting the headquarters of a political party instills fear in a part of the population. —ABC News, 11 May 2026

The boat was docked near the Haulover Marine Center a few hours after the explosion. —Miami Herald, Sun Sentinel, 10 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin explosion-, explosio act of driving off by clapping, from explodere

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing explosion

• population explosion

Rhymes for explosion

• corrosion
• erosion
• implosion

Kids Definition

explosion

noun

ex·​plo·​sion ik-ˈsplō-zhən 

1

: the act or an instance of exploding

2

: a violent outburst of feeling

Medical Definition

explosion

noun

ex·​plo·​sion ik-ˈsplō-zhən 

: the act or an instance of exploding