implosion

noun

im·​plo·​sion im-ˈplō-zhən 

1

: the action of imploding

2

: the act or action of bringing to or as if to a center

also : integration

this implosion of cultures makes realistic for the first time the age-old vision of a world culture

—Kenneth Keniston

3

: the inrush of air in forming a suction stop

implosive

im-ˈplō-siv 

-ziv

adjective or noun

Examples of implosion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The deadly implosion of an experimental submersible en route to the deep-sea grave of the Titanic last June has not dulled the desire for further ocean exploration, despite lingering questions about the disaster. —Alena Botros, Fortune, 17 June 2024

But basic information about the standard type of fission weapon, known as an implosion device, has long been known publicly. —IEEE Spectrum, 17 June 2024

Two miles down, where seawater exerts vast pressures, an implosion would have made the violent collapse of the vehicle’s hull instantaneous. —William J. Broad, New York Times, 10 June 2024

The first came in the half inning before the relief corps’ implosion, as Hays, who singled amid a string of solid plate appearances to potentially emerge out of his early season slump, scored on a passed ball. —Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

in- entry 2 + -plosion (as in explosion)

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

implosion

noun

im·​plo·​sion im-ˈplō-zhən 

: the action of imploding

implosive

-ˈplō-siv 

-ziv

adjective