burst

 
Pronunciation: /bəːst/

verb (past and past participle burst)

[no object]
  • 1break open or apart suddenly and violently, especially as a result of an impact or internal pressure: one of the balloons burst the dam burst after days of torrential rain
  • [with object] cause to burst: he burst the balloon the swollen river was expected to burst its banks
  • be so full as almost to break open: the wardrobe was bursting with piles of clothes
  • feel a very strong or irrepressible emotion or impulse: he was bursting with joy and excitement [with infinitive]: she was bursting to say something
  • 2issue suddenly and uncontrollably: the words burst from him in an angry rush
  • open suddenly and forcibly: a door burst open and a girl raced out
  • [with adverbial of direction] move suddenly and violently: he burst into the room without knocking figurative she burst on to the British art scene in 1985
  • 3suddenly begin doing or producing something: Sophie burst out laughing she burst into tears the aircraft burst into flames
  • 4 [with object] separate (continuous stationery) into single sheets.

noun

  • 1an instance of breaking or splitting as a result of internal pressure or puncturing; an explosion: the mortar bursts were further away than before
  • 2a sudden brief outbreak: a burst of activity bursts of laughter
  • a sudden issuing forth: her breath was coming in short bursts
  • 3a period of continuous and intense effort: he sailed 474 miles in one 24-hour burst

Phrases

burst someone's bubble

see bubble

Origin:

Old English berstan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch bersten, barsten