verb
detonate
DEH-tuh-nayt
verb
1
To explode, or to make something explode.
"Bomb disposal experts detonated the device safely."
"The old shell finally detonated when it was disturbed."
How to Use Detonate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo set off an explosion, or to blow up.
Common pairings
detonate a bomb
fail to detonate
remotely detonate
Word Forms
detonated past tense, detonates singular
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Bomb disposal experts _____ the device safely.
Etymology
From Latin detonare ("to thunder down"), from de- + tonare ("to thunder").