airburst

noun

air·​burst ˈer-ˌbərst How to pronounce airburst (audio)
variants or air burst
Synonyms of airburstnext
: the burst of a shell or bomb in the air

Examples of airburst in a Sentence

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.
The airburst arrived almost a minute and a half after the tremor. — Charles Pellegrino, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025 In the event of a swarm attack, this warhead can take it out with an airburst of shrapnel. — New Atlas, 13 Sep. 2025 However, the most likely outcome would be a high-altitude airburst. — Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025 These could hold clues to future threats from space like airbursts and actual impacts into Earth's surface, according to researchers. — Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for airburst

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of airburst was in 1914

Rhymes for airburst

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Browse Nearby Words

airbrush out
airburst
Airbus
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Cite this Entry

“Airburst.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/airburst. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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