explode

verb

ex·​plode ik-ˈsplōd 

exploded; exploding

intransitive verb

1

: to burst forth with sudden violence or noise from internal energy: such as

a

: to undergo a rapid chemical or nuclear reaction with the production of noise, heat, and violent expansion of gases

dynamite explodes

b

: to burst violently as a result of pressure from within

2

a

: to give forth a sudden strong and noisy outburst of emotion

exploded in anger

b

: to move with sudden speed and force

exploded from the starting gate

3

: to increase rapidly

the population of the city exploded

4

: to suggest an explosion (as in appearance or effect)

shrubs exploded with blossoms

transitive verb

1

: to cause to explode or burst noisily

explode a bomb

2

: to bring into disrepute or discredit

explode a theory

3

archaic : to drive from the stage by noisy disapproval

exploder noun

Did you know?

Theatergoers in ancient Rome could be noisy in showing both their enjoyment and their dislike of a performance. One of the ways they made noise was by clapping their hands loudly. The Latin verb plaudere meant “to make a noise by loud clapping.” When Romans were showing their approval of a performance, the word used was applaudere, from which we get our English word applaud. When Romans did not like a performance, they often drove the performer from the stage by loud claps. The word for this was explodere or explaudere, from the prefix ex-, meaning “out, away,” and plaudere. From this word we get our English word explode. At first, explode meant “to drive from the stage by a noisy expression of dislike,” but this sense has all but disappeared.

Synonyms

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

Examples of explode in a Sentence

One of the shells failed to explode.

These occasional skirmishes may soon explode into all-out war.

The birds suddenly exploded into flight.

The building exploded in flames.

She looked like she was ready to explode with anger.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the face of tragedy, the armor protecting her interior fragility comes undone, and the same intense force of will that may or may not have exploded a copper pot or ignited fire to a poster directs itself inward. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024

If Colorado voters ban mountain lion hunting, would the feline’s population explode — or stabilize on its own? —Elise Schmelzer, The Denver Post, 5 Nov. 2024

There’s the music video — still perhaps the greatest of the 21st century so far — full of bathhouse coffins, exploding beds, disorienting contact lenses and bewitching dance moves. —Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2024

Claims of election fraud exploded in 2020 as Trump and his allies sought to portray his narrow election loss as something more nefarious. —Juliann Ventura, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin explodere to drive off the stage by clapping, from ex- + plaudere to clap

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Phrases Containing explode

• burst/explode into flames

Kids Definition

explode

verb

ex·​plode ik-ˈsplōd 

exploded; exploding

1

: to cause to be given up or rejected

science has exploded many old theories

2

a

: to burst or cause to burst with violence and noise

the boiler exploded

b

: to go through a rapid chemical or nuclear reaction with the production of noise, heat, and violent expansion of gases

the bomb exploded

3

: to burst forth

exploded with laughter

zoomed out of the alley and exploded into the street

Etymology

from Latin explaudere "to drive off the stage by clapping," from ex- "out, away" and plaudere "to clap" — related to applaud, plaudit, plausible see Word History at plausible

Word Origin

Theatergoers in ancient Rome could be noisy in showing both their enjoyment and their dislike of a performance. One of the ways they made noise was by clapping their hands loudly. The Latin verb plaudere meant "to make a noise by loud clapping." When the Romans were showing their approval of a performance, the word used was applaudere, from which we get our English word applaud. When the Romans did not like a performance, they often drove the performer from the stage by loud claps. The word for this was explaudere, from the prefix ex-, meaning "out, away," and plaudere. It is from this word that we get our English word explode. In the beginning, the English word explode had the meaning "to drive from the stage by a noisy expression of dislike." But this sense has all but disappeared. Other meanings that have either the idea of disapproval or the idea of violent noise have since come into wide use.

Medical Definition

explode

verb

ex·​plode ik-ˈsplōd 

exploded; exploding

transitive verb

: to cause to explode or burst noisily

explode a bomb

intransitive verb

: to undergo a rapid chemical or nuclear reaction with the production of noise, heat, and violent expansion of gases