ENGLISH
REFERENCE

eruption

n.
US //ˌiˈɹəpʃən// UK //ɪɹˈʌpʃən// erup·tion
  1. 1 volcanic activity (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Science

    the moment when a volcano throws out hot lava, ash, and gas.

    the sudden and violent ejection of volcanic material, such as lava, tephra, and gases, from a vent in the Earth's crust.

    Example

    The massive eruption of the volcano forced thousands of people to leave their homes.

    Example

    Geologists monitored the seismic activity for weeks, yet the eventual eruption was more powerful than any of their models had predicted.

  2. 2 sudden noise or emotion (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a sudden, loud burst of noise or a strong showing of feeling.

    a sudden and violent outbreak of noise, activity, or emotion from a person or group.

    Example

    An eruption of laughter filled the room after he told the joke.

    Example

    The referee's controversial decision triggered an immediate eruption of anger from the home crowd, leading to a brief delay in the match.

Show 1 more senseShow fewer
  1. 3 skin rash (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

    a sudden appearance of spots or a rash on your skin.

    the sudden appearance of a rash, spots, or other lesions on the skin, often as a symptom of an underlying infection.

    Example

    The doctor examined the red eruption on the child's arm to see if it was an allergy.

    Example

    The patient presented with a painful eruption of small blisters across the torso, characteristic of a viral infection.

Origin

From Middle French éruption, from Latin eruptio.

© 2026 English Reference