ENGLISH
REFERENCE

blasting

v. · n.
US //ˈbɫæstɪŋ// UK //blˈɑːstɪŋ// blast·ing
  1. 1 making a loud noise (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    making a very loud, powerful sound, especially from speakers or a horn.

    producing a loud, forceful sound; often used in the progressive aspect to describe music or alarms.

    Example

    The neighbors were blasting loud music until three in the morning.

    Example

    The car sped past with its stereo blasting heavy bass, vibrating the windows of every house on the street.
  2. 2 criticizing harshly (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    criticizing someone or something very strongly in public.

    subjecting someone to severe or vehement verbal criticism, often in a journalistic or public context.

    Example

    The newspapers are blasting the coach for the team's recent loss.

    Example

    The opposition leader spent the afternoon blasting the government's new fiscal policy during a televised press conference.
  3. 3 an explosion (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical

    the act of using explosives to break through rock or clear land.

    the action of detonating explosive charges, typically in the context of mining, quarrying, or civil engineering.

    Example

    The construction crew began the blasting early to clear the hillside for the new road.

    Example

    Controlled blasting was necessary to remove the granite shelf before the foundation of the skyscraper could be laid.
Etymology 1

From Middle English blastynge, equivalent to blast + -ing (present participle ending).

Etymology 2

From Middle English blastyng, blastynge, equivalent to blast + -ing (gerundive ending).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026