In the beginning, the English word explode had the meaning "to drive from the stage by a noisy expression of dislike." But this sense has all but disappeared.

Over four and a half days, the asiatic lily's young buds slowly suck up water, growing until they're ready to explode. Insurgents didn't necessarily trust the people they rigged to explode. These examples …

1. to expand with force and noise through rapid chemical change or decomposition, as gunpowder or nitroglycerine (opposed to implode). 2. to burst violently, as a boiler from excessive pressure of …

Definition of explode verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. [intransitive, transitive] to burst (= break apart) or make something burst loudly and violently, causing damage synonym blow …

To explode means to burst or shatter violently and noisily as a result of rapid combustion, excessive internal pressure, or other kind of reaction.

Jan 22, 2026 · In English it used to mean to "drive out with violence and sudden noise" (from around 1660), and later meaning to "go off with a loud noise" (from around 1790). The sense of "bursting …

EXPLODE definition: to expand with force and noise because of rapid chemical change or decomposition, as gunpowder or nitroglycerine (implode ). See examples of explode used in a …

We exploded [= burst] into action. The building exploded in/into flames/fire. She looked like she was ready to explode with anger. “Damn you!” she exploded. Science has exploded many old theories. …

If an object such as a bomb explodes or if someone or something explodes it, it bursts loudly and with great force, often causing damage or injury. They were clearing up when the second bomb …

There are 23 meanings listed in OED's entry for the verb explode, six of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. How common is the verb …