explosion
ihk-SPLOH-zhuhn
Explosion (noun) means a violent, sudden release of energy, often with a loud bang and flying debris. Example: “Residents heard a loud explosion at the old factory and ran outside.”
noun
1
A violent, sudden release of energy, often with a loud bang and flying debris.
"Residents heard a loud explosion at the old factory and ran outside."
"The explosion shattered windows three streets away."
"Investigators are trying to work out what caused the explosion."
2
A sudden, rapid increase or outburst of something.
"The internet led to an explosion of new online shops in just a few years."
"The city has seen an explosion in the number of delivery bikes."
"There was an explosion of interest in the sport after the Olympics."
How to use explosion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sudden, violent blast — or, more loosely, a sudden burst or surge of something.
Common pairings
a huge explosion
an explosion of anger
population explosion
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Word forms
- Plural
- explosions
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Residents heard a loud _____ at the old factory and ran outside.
Etymology
From French explosion, from Latin explodere, "to drive out by clapping" — the same root gives us "explode".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for explosion
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for explosion →
Frequently asked questions
What does “explosion” mean?
The word “explosion” means a violent, sudden release of energy, often with a loud bang and flying debris. In plain terms, a sudden, violent blast — or, more loosely, a sudden burst or surge of something.
How do you pronounce “explosion”?
“Explosion” is pronounced ihk-SPLOH-zhuhn (/ɛkˈsploʊ.ʒən/ in IPA).
How do you use “explosion” in a sentence?
Here is “explosion” used in a sentence: “The explosion shattered windows three streets away.”
What is another word for “explosion”?
Words with a similar meaning to “explosion” include bang, blast, boom, burst, detonation and eruption.
What is the opposite of “explosion”?
The opposite of “explosion” — its antonyms — is implosion.
What part of speech is “explosion”?
“Explosion” is a noun.
Where does the word “explosion” come from?
The word “explosion” comes from Latin. From French explosion, from Latin explodere, "to drive out by clapping" — the same root gives us "explode".
Is “explosion” a common word?
“Explosion” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between an explosion and an implosion?
An explosion is a violent, sudden release of energy that pushes outward, often with a loud bang and flying debris. An implosion is the opposite: the structure or object collapses inward on itself. The two words describe motion in opposing directions.
Can 'explosion' be used figuratively rather than about a physical blast?
Yes. Beyond a physical blast, 'explosion' describes a sudden, rapid increase or outburst of something, as in a population explosion or an explosion of anger. In this figurative use there is no fire or debris, only a swift and dramatic surge.
What preposition usually follows 'explosion'?
'Explosion' is most often followed by 'of', as in 'an explosion of colour' or 'an explosion of laughter'. This 'explosion of' pattern is standard when naming what has suddenly surged or burst forth.
What is the difference between an explosion and a blast?
The two words overlap heavily and are often interchangeable. 'Blast' tends to emphasise the shockwave and rush of air that spreads out from the event, while 'explosion' names the violent release of energy itself. A single event can accurately be called both.
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