explode Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb cause to burst with a violent release of energy
    detonate; blow up; set off.
    • We exploded the nuclear bomb
  2. verb burst outward, usually with noise
    burst.
    • The champagne bottle exploded
  3. verb show a violent emotional reaction
    • The boss exploded when he heard of the resignation of the secretary
  4. verb be unleashed; emerge with violence or noise
    burst forth; break loose.
    • His anger exploded
  5. verb destroy by exploding
    • The enemy exploded the bridge
  6. verb cause to burst as a result of air pressure; of stop consonants like /p/, /t/, and /k/
  7. verb drive from the stage by noisy disapproval
  8. verb show (a theory or claim) to be baseless, or refute and make obsolete
  9. verb burst and release energy as through a violent chemical or physical reaction
    detonate; blow up.
    • the bomb detonated at noon
    • The Molotov cocktail exploded
  10. verb increase rapidly and in an uncontrolled manner
    irrupt.
    • The population of India is exploding
    • The island's rodent population irrupted

WordNet

Ex*plode" intransitive verb
Etymology
L. explodere, explosum, to drive out, drive out a player by clapping; ex out+plaudere, plodere, to clap, strike, applaud: cf. OF. exploder. See Plausible.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Exploded; present participle & verbal noun Exploding
Definitions
  1. To become suddenly expanded into a great volume of gas or vapor; to burst violently into flame; as gunpowder explodes.
  2. To burst with force and a loud report; to detonate, as a shell filled with powder or the like material, or as a boiler from too great pressure of steam.
  3. To burst forth with sudden violence and noise; as, at this, his wrath exploded.
Ex*plode" transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To drive from the stage by noisy expressions of disapprobation; to hoot off; to drive away or reject noisily; as, to explode a play. Obs.
    Him old and young Exploded, and seized with violent hands. Milton.
  2. To bring into disrepute, and reject; to drive from notice and acceptance; as, to explode a scheme, fashion, or doctrine.
    Old exploded contrivances of mercantile fraud. Burke.
    To explode and exterminate dark atheism. Bently.
  3. To cause to explode or burst noisily; to detonate; as, to explode powder by touching it with fire.
  4. To drive out with violence and noise, as by powder.
    But late the kindled powder did explode The massy ball and the brass tube unload. Blackmore.

Webster 1913