erupted; erupting; erupts

intransitive verb

1
a(1)
: to burst from limits or restraint
(2)
of a tooth : to emerge through the gum
b
: to force out or release suddenly and often violently something (such as lava or steam) that is pent up
c
: to become active or violent especially suddenly : break forth
war could erupt at any moment
the audience erupted in applause
2
: to break out with or as if with a skin eruption

transitive verb

: to force out or release usually suddenly and violently
a volcano erupting lava and ash
eruptible adjective
eruptive adjective
eruptively adverb

Examples of erupt in a Sentence

The volcano erupted with tremendous force. A bitter dispute has erupted among the members of the team.
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 chaos first erupted during last week’s Roundtable when Survivor’s Caorlyn Wiger attacked her fellow Traitor, Big Brother’s Danielle Reyes, for dropping her name while Danielle tried to vote out Survivor’s Boston Rob Mariano. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 7 Feb. 2025 In 1989 and 1990, the George H.W. Bush Administration promoted negotiations to end the first intifada — a Palestinian uprising that erupted in 1987 — on a land-for-peace basis. Peter L. Hahn / Made By History, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025 The Eaton and Palisades fires, which both erupted Jan. 7, killed at least 29 people, charred more than 37,000 acres and destroyed 16,000 structures, including 11,000 single-family homes. Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2025 Anti-Trump protests erupt across major US cities Anti-Trump protests erupted in cities across the U.S. on Wednesday, where demonstrators voiced opposition to the president’s agenda and Project 25. Greg Wehner, Fox News, 5 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for erupt 

Word History

Etymology

Latin eruptus, past participle of erumpere to burst forth, from e- + rumpere to break — more at reave

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of erupt was in 1657

Dictionary Entries Near erupt

Cite this Entry

“Erupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erupt. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

erupt

verb
1
: to burst forth or cause to burst forth : explode
2
: to break through a surface
teeth erupting from the gum
3
: to break out with or as if with a skin eruption
eruptive adjective

Medical Definition

erupt

intransitive verb
1
of a tooth : to emerge through the gum
2
: to break out (as with a skin eruption)
eruptive adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on erupt

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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