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.
Much of it is in black and white, treating the detonation of the first atomic bomb as the event that unleashed true evil into the world. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 16 Jan. 2025 Footage shared on local media and by residents appeared to show the detonations, with fierce fire and flashes of light on a street lined with houses and cars. Isabella Kwai, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025 Hours later, a Cybertruck exploded in Las Vegas, injuring passersby and incinerating its lone occupant and the man responsible for the detonation, Matthew Livelsberger, who committed suicide by firearm. Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025 But sources tell us Meta deliberately packaged them all up for detonation over nine days to maximize the pop for Trump. Axios, 11 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

Dictionary Entries Near detonation

Cite this Entry

“Detonation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detonation. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.

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