burst

verb (past and past participle burst)

• 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 figurativeshe 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