blast
blahst
Blast (noun) means an explosion, or the powerful rush of air and force it creates. Example: “The blast shattered windows for blocks around.”
noun
1
An explosion, or the powerful rush of air and force it creates.
"The blast shattered windows for blocks around."
"Rescue workers searched the site after the blast."
"Nobody was hurt in the blast at the old quarry."
2
A sudden strong gust of wind or air.
"A blast of cold air hit us as we opened the door."
"The blast from the open window blew papers all over the desk."
"A blast of icy wind nearly knocked the hat off his head."
3
An extremely enjoyable time.
"We had an absolute blast at the reunion."
"The kids had a blast at the water park yesterday."
"Going camping with my friends was a real blast."
verb
1
To blow something up or break it apart with explosives.
"Engineers blasted through the rock to build the tunnel."
"Workers blasted the old bridge apart so a new one could be built."
"The crew will blast the rocks away before laying the new road."
2
To play something, especially music, extremely loudly.
"He was blasting music from his car stereo."
"My neighbour blasts his radio every morning, and the walls shake."
"Stop blasting that song, because the baby is trying to sleep!"
3
To criticize someone or something harshly.
"Critics blasted the movie for its weak plot."
"The newspaper blasted the council for ignoring the problem of broken streetlights."
"Fans blasted the referee online after the controversial decision."
How to use blast
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn explosion or powerful gust of force — or, informally, a great time; as a verb, to blow something up, play something loudly, or criticize harshly.
Common pairings
blast of air
have a blast
blast open
blast music
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Word forms
- Plural
- blasts
- Third person singular
- blasts
- Past tense
- blasted
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The _____ shattered windows for blocks around.
Etymology
From Old English blǣst, meaning "a blowing" or "gust," related to the verb "blow."
Related words
Rhymes for blast
See all rhymes for blast →Frequently asked questions
What does “blast” mean?
The word “blast” means an explosion, or the powerful rush of air and force it creates. In plain terms, an explosion or powerful gust of force — or, informally, a great time; as a verb, to blow something up, play something loudly, or criticize harshly.
How do you pronounce “blast”?
“Blast” is pronounced blahst (/blæst/ in IPA).
How do you use “blast” in a sentence?
Here is “blast” used in a sentence: “The blast shattered windows for blocks around.”
What part of speech is “blast”?
Depending on how it is used, “blast” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “blast” come from?
The word “blast” comes from Old English. From Old English blǣst, meaning "a blowing" or "gust," related to the verb "blow.".
Is “blast” a common word?
“Blast” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “blast” have?
“Blast” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an explosion, or the powerful rush of air and force it creates.
What is the difference between "blast" and "explosion"?
An "explosion" is the violent bursting itself, while a "blast" emphasizes the powerful wave of air, pressure, and force that spreads out from it. People often say they were "knocked over by the blast" rather than by the explosion.
What is the difference between "blast" and "gust"?
A "gust" is a brief, natural rush of wind, while a "blast" of air is stronger and more forceful, and can come from a machine, a door, or an explosion. You might feel "a gust of wind" outdoors but "a blast of cold air" when a freezer opens.
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