explode

verb

ex·​plode ik-ˈsplōd 

exploded; exploding

intransitive verb

1

: to burst forth with sudden violence or noise from internal energy: such as

a

: to undergo a rapid chemical or nuclear reaction with the production of noise, heat, and violent expansion of gases

dynamite explodes

b

: to burst violently as a result of pressure from within

2

a

: to give forth a sudden strong and noisy outburst of emotion

exploded in anger

b

: to move with sudden speed and force

exploded from the starting gate

3

: to increase rapidly

the population of the city exploded

4

: to suggest an explosion (as in appearance or effect)

shrubs exploded with blossoms

transitive verb

1

: to cause to explode or burst noisily

explode a bomb

2

: to bring into disrepute or discredit

explode a theory

3

archaic : to drive from the stage by noisy disapproval

exploder noun

Did you know?

Theatergoers in ancient Rome could be noisy in showing both their enjoyment and their dislike of a performance. One of the ways they made noise was by clapping their hands loudly. The Latin verb plaudere meant “to make a noise by loud clapping.” When Romans were showing their approval of a performance, the word used was applaudere, from which we get our English word applaud. When Romans did not like a performance, they often drove the performer from the stage by loud claps. The word for this was explodere or explaudere, from the prefix ex-, meaning “out, away,” and plaudere. From this word we get our English word explode. At first, explode meant “to drive from the stage by a noisy expression of dislike,” but this sense has all but disappeared.

Synonyms

• blow
• blow up
• burst
• crump
• detonate
• go off
• pop

Examples of explode in a Sentence

One of the shells failed to explode.

These occasional skirmishes may soon explode into all-out war.

The birds suddenly exploded into flight.

The building exploded in flames.

She looked like she was ready to explode with anger.

Recent Examples on the Web

World & Nation Measles cases exploded in Texas after stagnant vaccine funding. —Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025

Each night presents a new way of dying (stabbings, exploding limbs, axes to the head), as Sandberg borrows from slasher movies, psychological horror, monster flicks and more. —Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025

Stateside, family moviegoing always explodes post-Christmas, and that’s when Mufasa began to show his claws against Sonic. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2025

In July 2007, amid an ongoing aviation crisis in Brazil, a TAM Airlines plane crashed into a building and exploded after failing to land properly. —Jordana Comiter, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin explodere to drive off the stage by clapping, from ex- + plaudere to clap

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Phrases Containing explode

• burst/explode into flames

Rhymes for explode

• abode
• anode
• barcode
• bestowed
• boatload
• borrowed
• carload
• caseload
• cathode
• commode
• corrode
• crossroad

Kids Definition

explode

verb

ex·​plode ik-ˈsplōd 

exploded; exploding

1

: to cause to be given up or rejected

science has exploded many old theories

2

a

: to burst or cause to burst with violence and noise

the boiler exploded

b

: to go through a rapid chemical or nuclear reaction with the production of noise, heat, and violent expansion of gases

the bomb exploded

3

: to burst forth

exploded with laughter

zoomed out of the alley and exploded into the street

Etymology

from Latin explaudere "to drive off the stage by clapping," from ex- "out, away" and plaudere "to clap" — related to applaud, plaudit, plausible see Word History at plausible

Word Origin

Theatergoers in ancient Rome could be noisy in showing both their enjoyment and their dislike of a performance. One of the ways they made noise was by clapping their hands loudly. The Latin verb plaudere meant "to make a noise by loud clapping." When the Romans were showing their approval of a performance, the word used was applaudere, from which we get our English word applaud. When the Romans did not like a performance, they often drove the performer from the stage by loud claps. The word for this was explaudere, from the prefix ex-, meaning "out, away," and plaudere. It is from this word that we get our English word explode. In the beginning, the English word explode had the meaning "to drive from the stage by a noisy expression of dislike." But this sense has all but disappeared. Other meanings that have either the idea of disapproval or the idea of violent noise have since come into wide use.

Medical Definition

explode

verb

ex·​plode ik-ˈsplōd 

exploded; exploding

transitive verb

: to cause to explode or burst noisily

explode a bomb

intransitive verb

: to undergo a rapid chemical or nuclear reaction with the production of noise, heat, and violent expansion of gases