detonation

noun

det·​o·​na·​tion ˌde-tᵊn-ˈā-shən How to pronounce detonation (audio)
ˌde-tə-ˈnā-
1
: the action or process of detonating
2
: rapid combustion in an internal combustion engine that results in knocking

Examples of detonation in a Sentence

there was a series of detonations around the base of the condemned building, causing it to come crashing down in a matter of minutes
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Among the victims rushed to hospital, many had eye injuries, missing fingers or gaping holes in their abdomens, Reuters witnesses saw, indicating their proximity to the devices at the time of detonation. Reuters, NBC News, 11 Nov. 2024 Israel's campaign of cross-border strikes and targeted killings escalated on Sept. 17 and 18, with the detonation of thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies across a 48-hour period. Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2024 Advertisement The attack involved the simultaneous detonation of some 5,000 pagers distributed among Hezbollah fighters and officials across the country. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024 At least one of the detonations on Sept. 18 happened near a funeral organized by Hezbollah for those killed in the previous day's attacks, when the thousands of pagers used by the group exploded, according to the outlet. Brian Brant, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for detonation 

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of detonation was in 1686

Dictionary Entries Near detonation

Cite this Entry

“Detonation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detonation. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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