Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

detonation

Translate detonation | into German | into Italian
Definition of detonation

noun

[mass noun]
  • the action of causing a bomb or explosive device to explode: she was in a control building at the time of detonation [count noun]:atom bomb detonations at Hiroshima and Nagasaki
  • [count noun] a loud explosion:a series of deafening detonations was heard
  • technical combustion of a substance which is initiated suddenly and propagates extremely rapidly, giving rise to a shock wave: natural gas’s high resistance to detonationCompare with deflagration.
  • the premature combustion of fuel in an internal-combustion engine, causing pinking.

Origin:

late 17th century: from French détonation, from the verb détoner, from Latin detonare 'thunder down' (see detonate)

detonation in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of detonation in the US English dictionary
  |  Cite
Oxford Dictionaries Pro

For Oxford's best resources for writers, plus thesaurus, audio, and 1.9m examples.

Shop for an Oxford dictionary

Find the perfect Oxford dictionary for you in our online shop.
SHOP NOW ►

Word of the day

cur

/ kəː /
noun
an aggressive or unkempt dog …