implosion

noun

im·​plo·​sion im-ˈplō-zhən 

1

: the action of imploding

2

: the act or action of bringing to or as if to a center

also : integration

This implosion of cultures makes realistic for the first time the age-old vision of a world culture …

—Kenneth Keniston

3

: the inrush of air in forming a suction stop

implosive

im-ˈplō-siv 

-ziv

adjective or noun

Examples of implosion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The runners-up/winners of the last Africa Cup of Nations had two dreadful implosions, first against Norway in the group stage before a bizarre collapse when facing Belgium in the round of 32. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Those knocks, a masterful performance from Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and a late implosion set the Yankees up for an 8-2 loss in the first game of a split doubleheader at Yankee Stadium. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026

The Senate minority leader, whose reservations about Platner were vindicated by the candidate’s implosion, is staying on the sidelines; so is the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 16 July 2026

All 13 of the teams impacted by the RSN implosion are expected to join the NBA’s new digital hub in 2027, and at least five clubs with short-term OTA deals in place are also likely candidates to get in on the new distribution scheme. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 15 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

in- entry 2 + -plosion (as in explosion)

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for implosion

• corrosion
• erosion
• explosion

Kids Definition

implosion

noun

im·​plo·​sion im-ˈplō-zhən 

: the action of imploding

implosive

-ˈplō-siv 

-ziv

adjective