burst

1 of 2

verb

ˈbərst 

burst also bursted; bursting

intransitive verb

1

: to break open, apart, or into pieces usually from impact or from pressure from within

the balloon burst

the pipes burst

2

a

: to give way from an excess of emotion

my heart will burst

b

: to give vent suddenly to a repressed emotion

burst into tears

burst out laughing

3

a

: to emerge or spring suddenly

burst out of the house

burst onto the scene

burst into flames

b

: launch, plunge

burst into song

4

: to be filled to the breaking point

bursting with excitement

a crate bursting with fruit

transitive verb

1

: to cause to burst

burst a balloon

2

a

: to force open (something, such as a door or a way) by strong or vigorous action

b

: to flood over

the river burst its banks

3

: to produce by or as if by bursting

burst

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a sudden outbreak

a burst of flames

especially : a vehement outburst (as of emotion)

b

: explosion, eruption

a burst of violence

c

: a sudden intense effort

a burst of speed

d

: the duration of fire in one engagement of the mechanism of an automatic firearm

bursts of machine-gun fire

2

: an act of bursting

the burst of a bubble

a burst of confidence

3

: a result of bursting

had the plumber fix the burst

especially, firearms : a visible puff accompanying the explosion of a shell (see shell entry 1 sense 9b)

Phrases

burst at the seams

: to be larger, fuller, or more crowded than could reasonably have been anticipated

Synonyms

Verb

• blow
• blow up
• crump
• detonate
• explode
• go off
• pop

Noun

• flare
• flare-up
• flash
• flicker
• flurry
• flutter
• outbreak
• outburst
• spurt

Examples of burst in a Sentence

Verb

Two of the water pipes burst.

He burst a blood vessel.

The doors suddenly burst open.

The cops burst the door open.

He burst into the room.

The sun burst through the clouds.

She burst through the door and yelled “Surprise!”.

Noun

She ran hard in short bursts toward the end of the race.

the burst of a bubble

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In the third quarter, with Rutgers having just pulled within a score, Lemon burst across the middle of the field on a crossing route and shook loose of one defender, only to cut back across field, gaining 70 yards before he was caught. —Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024

Integrated governance, risk and compliance (GRC) burst on the scene over 20 years ago. —Venky Yerrapotu, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024

Noun

Few companies are explicit on this distinction when reporting density metrics, and headcount can fluctuate especially with large bursts of hiring or staff reductions, so density per seat remains more consistent than per person. —Phil Kirschner, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

Overall balance has been tweaked to enable the use of both hands while upright, along with short bursts without needing a supporting cane. —Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English bersten, from Old English berstan; akin to Old High German brestan to burst

Noun

derivative of burst entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing burst

• air burst
• burst/explode into flames
• burst in on
• burst into
• burst into tears
• burst on the scene
• burst out
• burst out laughing
• burst someone's bubble
• fit to burst
• gamma ray burst
• ground burst

Kids Definition

burst

1 of 2 verb

ˈbərst 

burst; bursting

1

a

: to break open or in pieces (as by an explosion from within)

the balloon burst

buds bursting open

b

: to cause to burst

2

a

: to suddenly show one's feelings

burst into tears

b

: to begin to do something suddenly

burst into song

3

: to come or go suddenly

burst into the room

4

: to be filled to the breaking point

just bursting with energy

burst

2 of 2 noun

1

: a sudden release or effort

a burst of speed

2

: a firing of many shots at the same time