explosion
n. countablen. a sudden, loud burst of energy, often from a bomb or something under pressure. It can also mean a very fast increase in the amount or number of something.
n. a violent expansion or bursting caused by a sudden release of energy, often accompanied by a loud noise and shock wave. In a figurative sense, it refers to a rapid and massive increase in volume, frequency, or population.
The loud explosion woke up everyone in the neighborhood.
The city has seen an explosion in the number of new coffee shops opening downtown this year.
While the initial explosion was contained within the laboratory, the subsequent release of pressurized gas caused significant structural damage to the surrounding support beams.
From French explosion, from Latin explōsiōnis, genitive form of explōsio, from explōdo (“to drive out by clapping”), from ex- and plōdo (“to clap or strike”). For more information see explode.
Commonly used with the preposition 'of' when describing a sudden increase, such as an 'explosion of interest' or an 'explosion of color'.