# explosion

/ɪksˈpɫoʊʒən/ (US) · /ɛksplˈəʊʒən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/explosion
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. violent burst of energy

noun · CEFR B1

a sudden, violent burst of energy, often caused by a bomb or gas, that breaks things apart.

For teachers: a violent and destructive release of energy, typically resulting from a chemical, nuclear, or mechanical reaction.

- The explosion was so strong that it broke all the windows in the street.
- The accidental gas explosion levelled the warehouse, leaving investigators to sift through the debris for clues regarding the ignition source.

### 2. a loud noise

noun · CEFR B1

the very loud sound made when something bursts or blows up.

For teachers: the sudden, loud acoustic manifestation of a violent release of energy.

- We heard a loud explosion in the distance and ran to the window.
- A sudden explosion echoed through the valley, startling the hikers who were miles away from the construction site.

### 3. rapid increase

noun · CEFR B2

a sudden and very quick increase in the amount or number of something.

For teachers: a sudden, rapid, and often uncontrolled increase or expansion in number, scale, or intensity.

- There has been an explosion in the number of people using smartphones lately.
- The late twentieth century witnessed a population explosion in urban centres, placing unprecedented strain on existing infrastructure and housing markets.

### 4. sudden emotion

noun · CEFR B2

a sudden, strong show of a feeling like anger or laughter.

For teachers: a sudden and intense emotional outburst, typically of anger, laughter, or enthusiasm.

- His joke caused an explosion of laughter from everyone in the room.
- The manager's sudden explosion of temper caught the staff off guard, as he was usually known for his calm and professional demeanour.

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.