explosion

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A sudden, violent burst of energy that causes damage and noise.

   The explosion was heard a mile away.

2. 2
   noun

   A sudden, large increase in something.

   The world has seen a huge population explosion in recent decades.

3. 3
   noun

   A sudden outburst, such as of emotion or sound.

   His joke caused an explosion of laughter.

From French explosion, from Latin explōsiōnis, genitive form of explōsio, from explōdo (“to drive out by clapping”), from ex- and plōdo (“to clap or strike”). For more information see explode.

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