burst
v. · n.-
1 to break open (v.) B1 Intermediateto break open suddenly because there is too much pressure inside.
to rupture or break open violently as a result of internal pressure.
ExampleThe balloon burst when it touched the sharp branch of the tree.
ExampleThe water pipes burst during the night because the temperature dropped well below freezing, causing the water inside to expand.
PitfallThe balloon bursted when he touched it.The balloon burst when he touched it.The past tense and past participle of 'burst' is 'burst', not 'bursted'.
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2 to move suddenly (v.) B2 Upper Intermediateto move somewhere very quickly and suddenly, often through a door.
to enter or exit a space hurriedly and unexpectedly.
ExampleThe children burst into the room to show their parents the new puppy.
ExampleThe protesters burst through the security gates before the guards had a chance to react to the sudden surge of the crowd.
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3 to start suddenly (v.) B1 Intermediateto suddenly start doing something, like crying, laughing, or singing.
to suddenly begin an activity or change state, often used with 'into'.
ExampleThe audience burst into laughter after the comedian told the final joke.
ExampleShe burst into tears upon hearing the news, unable to contain her relief after weeks of stressful uncertainty.
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4 a sudden increase (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatea short, sudden period of energy, emotion, or activity.
a sudden, intense, and brief manifestation or display of something.
ExampleA sudden burst of energy helped him finish the race in first place.
ExampleThe athlete relied on a final burst of speed to overtake his rivals in the closing meters of the marathon.
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5 gunfire or explosion (n.) C1 Advanced Technical Militarya short series of shots from a gun or a sudden explosion.
a series of shots fired from an automatic weapon or the detonation of an explosive device.
ExampleWe heard a short burst of gunfire coming from the training range.
ExampleThe soldiers were trained to fire in short, controlled bursts to maintain accuracy and conserve ammunition during the engagement.
From Middle English bresten, bersten, from Old English berstan, from Proto-West Germanic brestan, from Proto-Germanic brestaną, from Proto-Indo-European bʰres- (“to burst, break, crack, split, separate”), enlargement of bʰreHi- (“to snip, split”). See also West Frisian boarste, Dutch barsten, Danish briste, Swedish brista; also Irish bris (“to break”)). More at brine. Also cognate to debris.