eruption

noun

erup·​tion i-ˈrəp-shən How to pronounce eruption (audio)
Synonyms of eruptionnext
1
a
: an act, process, or instance of erupting
b
: the breaking out of a rash on the skin or mucous membrane
2
: a product of erupting (such as a skin rash)

Examples of eruption in a Sentence

a great eruption of glee as it suddenly dawned on her that she had won the eruption of the volcano Krakatoa was one of the most violent in global history
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.
Northern and southern lights The sun is expected to churn out more eruptions in 2026 that could lead to geomagnetic storms here on Earth, giving rise to stunning aurora. Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 28 Dec. 2025 Papakōlea Beach sits inside the Pu'u Mahana tuff cone, which was formed by the Mauna Loa volcano eruption around 49,000 years ago. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2025 Meanwhile, a new project exploring Pompeii uncovered a stone staircase that could reconstruct what the ancient Roman city’s skyline once looked like before a volcanic eruption in AD 79 entombed it in a thick layer of ash. Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 23 Dec. 2025 Several other eruptions have occurred in the past weeks, but all went unseen. Owen Clarke, Outside, 23 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for eruption

Word History

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of eruption was in 1555

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Eruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eruption. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

eruption

noun
erup·​tion i-ˈrəp-shən How to pronounce eruption (audio)
1
: an act, process, or instance of erupting
2
: a product (as a skin rash) of erupting

Medical Definition

eruption

noun
erup·​tion i-ˈrəp-shən How to pronounce eruption (audio)
1
: an act, process, or instance of erupting
the eruption of the tooth from the gum
specifically : the breaking out of an exanthem or enanthem on the skin or mucous membrane (as in measles)
2
: something produced by an act or process of erupting: as
a
: the condition of the skin or mucous membrane caused by erupting
b
: one of the lesions (as a pustule) constituting this condition

More from Merriam-Webster on eruption

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!