verb

detonate

DEH-tuh-nayt

Detonate (verb) means to explode, or to make something explode. Example: “Bomb disposal experts detonated the device safely.”

verb

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 notes

In plain EnglishTo set off an explosion, or to blow up.

Common pairings

detonate a bomb fail to detonate remotely detonate

detonated past tense, detonates singular

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Can you complete this real example?

Bomb disposal experts _____ the device safely.

From Latin detonare ("to thunder down"), from de- + tonare ("to thunder").

Origin: Latin

explode blow up set off

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What does “detonate” mean?

The word “detonate” means to explode, or to make something explode. In plain terms, to set off an explosion, or to blow up.

How do you pronounce “detonate”?

“Detonate” is pronounced DEH-tuh-nayt (/ˈdɛtəˌneɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “detonate” in a sentence?

Here is “detonate” used in a sentence: “Bomb disposal experts detonated the device safely.”

What part of speech is “detonate”?

“Detonate” is a verb.

Where does the word “detonate” come from?

The word “detonate” comes from Latin. From Latin detonare ("to thunder down"), from de- + tonare ("to thunder").

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