explosion

noun

ek-SPLOH-zhuhn/ɛkˈsploʊ.ʒən/UKik-SPLOH-zhuhn/ɪkˈspləʊ.ʒən/

3 meanings of explosion

1
nouncountable
A violent release of energy, whether mechanical, chemical, or nuclear; an act or instance of exploding.
The gas explosion destroyed half the warehouse before crews could arrive.
Investigators studied the debris patterns from the explosions to determine their cause.
Similarblast, detonation, burst
Oppositeimplosion
2
nouncountable
A sudden and rapid increase, expansion, or bursting out, often beyond control.
The smartphone era brought an explosion of new apps and services.
Biologists are tracking the explosion in the deer population since wolves disappeared from the region.
Similarsurge, boom, proliferation, upsurge, growth
Oppositedecline, collapse
3
nouncountable
The loud sound produced by an explosion.
An explosion echoed across the valley seconds after the flash.
Neighbors reported hearing two muffled explosions around midnight.
Similarbang, boom, blast, report

Practice

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Origin

From French explosion, from Latin explōsiōnis (genitive of explōsio), which comes from explōdo meaning "I drive out by clapping," formed from ex- and plōdo ("I clap or strike").