detonation

noun

det·​o·​na·​tion ˌde-tᵊn-ˈā-shən How to pronounce detonation (audio)
ˌde-tə-ˈnā-
1
: the action or process of detonating
2
: rapid combustion in an internal combustion engine that results in knocking

Examples of detonation in a Sentence

there was a series of detonations around the base of the condemned building, causing it to come crashing down in a matter of minutes
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What To Know The last two SpaceX flights, both launched from Florida, have caused debris to fall on several Caribbean islands following their detonations. William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025 Local and federal law enforcement officials are examining whether the incident had any ties to the detonation of a Tesla Cybertruck outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas. Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025 This series of blows began most notably in September with the large-scale detonations of communications devices used by the Lebanese Hezbollah movement in an act universally attributed to Israel, followed by the killing of the group's longtime leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in an Israeli airstrike. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 12 Jan. 2025 Advertisement The devices were wired for remote detonation, and a corresponding remote control was discovered inside the attacker’s truck, according to a Louisiana State Police intelligence bulletin obtained by the Associated Press. Eric Tucker, Jim Mustian, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for detonation

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of detonation was in 1686

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Cite this Entry

“Detonation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detonation. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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