ikˈsplōzhən, ek- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin explosion-, explosio action of driving from the stage by noisy disapproval, from explosus (past participle of explodere, explaudere to drive from the stage by noisy disapproval) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at explode
1. : an act of exposing something as invalid or baseless : rejection , collapse , fiasco
the explosion of that pseudo philosophy of science — P.E.More
2.
a. : an act of exploding : a violent expansion or bursting that is accompanied by noise and is caused by a sudden release of energy from a very rapid chemical reaction, from a nuclear reaction, or from an escape of gases or vapors under pressure (as in a steam boiler) — compare deflagration , detonation
b. : the noise made by such bursting
c.
(1) : a large-scale, rapid, and spectacular expansion, outbreak, or other upheaval
increasing the world food supply to offset the explosion of population — Bruce Bliven b. 1889
ideal material for a revolutionary explosion
(2) : an outburst of temper manifested by excited language or action
an explosion of national rage shattered the plan forever — Holiday
d. : the release of stoppage-impounded breath that occurs in one kind of articulation of stop consonants (as when a vowel or syllabic consonant immediately follows the stop, as in mica, sodden )