eruption
n. C / Un. a sudden explosion of rocks, ash, and hot liquid from a volcano. It can also describe a sudden, loud noise like people shouting or laughing.
n. the sudden discharge of steam, ash, or molten rock from a volcanic vent; by extension, a sudden and violent outbreak of noise or emotion.
The volcanic eruption covered the nearby town in gray ash.
The sudden eruption of applause from the audience startled the speaker during her opening remarks.
Geologists monitored the seismic activity for weeks, fearing that a major eruption would displace thousands of residents living on the mountain's fertile slopes.
From Middle French éruption, from Latin eruptio.
Countable when referring to specific events; uncountable when referring to the general process or phenomenon.