eruption

noun

erup·​tion i-ˈrəp-shən 

1

a

: an act, process, or instance of erupting

b

: the breaking out of a rash on the skin or mucous membrane

2

: a product of erupting (such as a skin rash)

Synonyms

• agony
• blaze
• burst
• ebullition
• explosion
• fit
• flare
• flare-up
• flash
• flush
• gale
• gush
• gust
• outburst
• paroxysm
• spasm
• storm

Examples of eruption in a Sentence

a great eruption of glee as it suddenly dawned on her that she had won

the eruption of the volcano Krakatoa was one of the most violent in global history

Recent Examples on the Web

Iceland is a volcanic island, and volcanic islands sometimes have volcanic eruptions. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2025

Santorini took its current shape following one of the largest volcanic eruptions in history, around 1600 BC. —Reuters, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025

The mechanics of an Axial eruption are much like those of volcanos in Hawaii and Iceland. —Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025

This intermittent series of eruptions began on Dec. 23, 2024, said the agency. —Megan Forrester, ABC News, 28 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing eruption

• creeping eruption
• post-eruption

Kids Definition

eruption

noun

erup·​tion i-ˈrəp-shən 

1

: an act, process, or instance of erupting

2

: a product (as a skin rash) of erupting

Medical Definition

eruption

noun

erup·​tion i-ˈrəp-shən 

1

: an act, process, or instance of erupting

the eruption of the tooth from the gum

specifically : the breaking out of an exanthem or enanthem on the skin or mucous membrane (as in measles)

2

: something produced by an act or process of erupting: as

a

: the condition of the skin or mucous membrane caused by erupting

b

: one of the lesions (as a pustule) constituting this condition