detonate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb cause to burst with a violent release of energy
    explode; blow up; set off.
    • We exploded the nuclear bomb
  2. verb burst and release energy as through a violent chemical or physical reaction
    explode; blow up.
    • the bomb detonated at noon
    • The Molotov cocktail exploded

WordNet

Det"o*nate intransitive verb
Etymology
L. detonare, v. i., to thunder down; de + tonare to thunder; akin to E. thunder. See Thunder, and cf. Detonize.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Detonated ; present participle & verbal noun Detonating
Definitions
  1. To explode with a sudden report; as, niter detonates with sulphur.
Det"o*nate transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To cause to explode; to cause to burn or inflame with a sudden report.

Webster 1913