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

The rare isotope is mostly locked away deep within our world’s innards, but vanishingly small quantities are belched out in volcanic eruptions and through natural gas pipelines. —Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 14 May 2026

The remaining 17 climbers managed to return to their base camp after the eruption and reported their friends missing to the authorities, per CNA. —Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026

The timing of the eruption is especially notable for aurora chasers. —Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 11 May 2026

Seventeen people were evacuated hours after the eruption, including seven Singaporean nationals. —Niniek Karmini, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 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