blast wave

noun
1.
a violent propagating disturbance, produced by an explosion in air, that consists of an abrupt rise in pressure followed by a drop in pressure to or below atmospheric pressure.
Also, blast.
Compare shock wave.
Origin
1935-40
Examples from the web for blast wave
  • The truck vanished in a thunderous flash, and a blast wave slammed into the walls.
  • Gray background indicates air density and shows a spherical blast wave that reflects from the ground.