Explode Definition

ĭk-splōd

exploded, explodes, exploding

verb

exploded, explodes, exploding

To release mechanical, chemical, or nuclear energy by the sudden production of gases in a confined space.

The bomb exploded.

American Heritage

To burst violently as a result of internal pressure.

American Heritage

To break forth noisily.

To explode with anger.

Webster's New World

To make burst with a loud noise; blow up; detonate.

Webster's New World

To increase very rapidly.

The area's population is exploding.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Origin of Explode

First recorded around 1538, from the Latin verb explōdere meaning to "drive out or off by clapping". The meaning was originally theatrical, "to drive an actor off the stage by making noise," hence meaning to "to drive out" or "to reject". From ex- (“out”) + plaudere (“to clap; to applaud”). 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).

From Wiktionary
Latin explōdere to drive out by clapping ex- ex- plaudere to clap

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
The sense of "bursting with destructive force" is first recorded around 1882.

From Wiktionary