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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

eruption

ih-RUHP-shuhn

Eruption (noun) means a sudden, forceful discharge of material, especially lava or ash from a volcano. Example: “The eruption forced thousands of residents to evacuate.”

noun
1
A sudden, forceful discharge of material, especially lava or ash from a volcano.
"The eruption forced thousands of residents to evacuate."
2
A sudden and intense outburst, such as of emotion or violence.
"The announcement triggered an eruption of applause."
3
A rash or outbreak of spots on the skin.
"The doctor examined the eruption on the child's arm."

How to use eruption

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA sudden, forceful burst of something — lava, emotion, or even a skin rash.

Common pairings
volcanic eruption skin eruption eruption of violence

Word forms

eruptions plural

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Test yourself on “eruption” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ forced thousands of residents to evacuate.

Etymology

From Latin eruptio, "a bursting out," from the verb ērumpere — the same root as "erupt."

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for eruption

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Frequently asked questions

What does “eruption” mean?

The word “eruption” means a sudden, forceful discharge of material, especially lava or ash from a volcano. In plain terms, a sudden, forceful burst of something — lava, emotion, or even a skin rash.

How do you pronounce “eruption”?

“Eruption” is pronounced ih-RUHP-shuhn (/ɪˈɹʌpʃən/ in IPA).

How do you use “eruption” in a sentence?

Here is “eruption” used in a sentence: “The eruption forced thousands of residents to evacuate.”

What part of speech is “eruption”?

“Eruption” is a noun.

Where does the word “eruption” come from?

The word “eruption” comes from Latin. From Latin eruptio, "a bursting out," from the verb ērumpere — the same root as "erupt.".

Is “eruption” a common word?

“Eruption” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “eruption” have?

“Eruption” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sudden, forceful discharge of material, especially lava or ash from a volcano.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial