v.
Pronunciation: im- ' pl ō d
Function: verb
Inflected Form: im · plod · ed ; im · plod · ing
Etymology: 2 in- + -plode (as in explode )
Date: 1881
intransitive verb
1 a : to burst inward <a blow causing a vacuum tube to implode > b : to undergo violent compression <massive stars which implode >
2 : to collapse inward as if from external pressure also : to become greatly reduced as if from collapsing
3 : to break down or fall apart from within : SELF-DESTRUCT <the firm ⋯ imploded from greed and factionalism ― Jan Hoffman>
transitive verb : to cause to implode