erupt

verb

i-ˈrəpt 

erupted; erupting; erupts

intransitive verb

1

a(1)

: to burst from limits or restraint

(2)

of a tooth : to emerge through the gum

b

: to force out or release suddenly and often violently something (such as lava or steam) that is pent up

c

: to become active or violent especially suddenly : break forth

war could erupt at any moment

the audience erupted in applause

2

: to break out with or as if with a skin eruption

transitive verb

: to force out or release usually suddenly and violently

a volcano erupting lava and ash

eruptible

i-ˈrəp-tə-bəl 

adjective

eruptive

i-ˈrəp-tiv 

adjective

eruptively adverb

Synonyms

• belch
• disgorge
• eject
• eruct
• expel
• jet
• spew
• spout
• spurt

Examples of erupt in a Sentence

The volcano erupted with tremendous force.

A bitter dispute has erupted among the members of the team.

Recent Examples on the Web

That debate has again erupted after Musk, himself once on an H-1B visa and whose electric vehicle company Tesla has hired workers using the program, defended the tech industry's need to bring in foreign workers. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 28 Dec. 2024

After a brief pause, the demo successfully worked, leading employees in attendance to erupt in applause. —Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 28 Dec. 2024

The former Morrison Hotel in downtown Los Angeles made famous by the Doors erupted in flames on Thursday morning, sustaining a partial roof collapse and putting the structural integrity in doubt. —Jessica Wang, EW.com, 27 Dec. 2024

Tensions had already been mounting across Mozambique ahead of Monday's Constitutional Council ruling, and violent protests erupted immediately after the announcement. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin eruptus, past participle of erumpere to burst forth, from e- + rumpere to break — more at reave

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing erupt

• erupt in laughter

Kids Definition

erupt

verb

i-ˈrəpt 

1

: to burst forth or cause to burst forth : explode

2

: to break through a surface

teeth erupting from the gum

3

: to break out with or as if with a skin eruption

eruptive

-ˈrəp-tiv 

adjective

Medical Definition

erupt

intransitive verb

i-ˈrəpt 

1

of a tooth : to emerge through the gum

2

: to break out (as with a skin eruption)

eruptive

-tiv 

adjective