explode

[ik-splohd] /ɪkˈsploʊd/
verb (used without object), exploded, exploding.
1.
to expand with force and noise because of rapid chemical change or decomposition, as gunpowder or nitroglycerine (opposed to implode).
2.
to burst, fly into pieces, or break up violently with a loud report, as a boiler from excessive pressure of steam.
3.
to burst forth violently or emotionally, especially with noise, laughter, violent speech, etc.:
He exploded with rage when contradicted.
4.
Phonetics. (of plosives) to terminate the occlusive phase with a plosion.
Compare implode (def 2).
5.
Golf. to play an explosion shot on a golf ball.
verb (used with object), exploded, exploding.
6.
to cause (gunpowder, a boiler, etc.) to explode.
7.
to cause to be rejected; destroy the repute of; discredit or disprove:
to explode a theory.
8.
Phonetics. to end with plosion.
9.
Golf. to play an explosion shot on (a golf ball).
10.
Obsolete. to drive (a player, play, etc.) from the stage by loud expressions of disapprobation.
Origin
1530-40; < Latin explōdere to drive off by clapping, drive away, equivalent to ex- ex-1 + plod- variant stem of plaudere to clap, beat
Related forms
exploder, noun
preexplode, verb, preexploded, preexploding.
unexploded, adjective
Examples from the web for explode
  • The equipment that was installed included igniters that burn off any hydrogen generated before the gas can explode.
  • Treat the statement as a time bomb waiting to explode your chances.
  • The plan may have been to explode them en route, perhaps as the plane was landing.
  • Hostility toward others can explode into senseless violence.
  • The vista is even more aah-inspiring when fireworks explode up and down the coast.
  • Fungus spores explode in sync to attain higher heights.
  • The long-term picture, by contrast, is one in which rising health-care costs threaten to explode the country's budget.
  • Then create your own virtual volcano and watch it explode.
  • My head will explode because the entire pool will empty into my sinuses.
  • Methane gas isn't toxic to ingest, but it can explode.
British Dictionary definitions for explode

explode

/ɪkˈspləʊd/
verb
1.
to burst or cause to burst with great violence as a result of internal pressure, esp through the detonation of an explosive; blow up
2.
to destroy or be destroyed in this manner: to explode a bridge
3.
(of a gas) to undergo or cause (a gas) to undergo a sudden violent expansion, accompanied by heat, light, a shock wave, and a loud noise, as a result of a fast uncontrolled exothermic chemical or nuclear reaction
4.
(intransitive) to react suddenly or violently with emotion, etc: to explode with anger
5.
(intransitive) (esp of a population) to increase rapidly
6.
(transitive) to show (a theory, etc) to be baseless; refute and make obsolete
7.
(transitive) (phonetics) to pronounce (a stop) with audible plosion
Compare implode
Derived Forms
exploder, noun
Word Origin
C16: from Latin explōdere to drive off by clapping, hiss (an actor) off, from ex-1 + plaudere to clap
Word Origin and History for explode
v.

1530s, "to reject with scorn," from Latin explodere "drive out or off by clapping, hiss off, hoot off," originally theatrical, "to drive an actor off the stage by making noise," hence "drive out, reject" (a sense surviving in an exploded theory), from ex- "out" (see ex-) + plaudere "to clap the hands, applaud," of uncertain origin. Athenian audiences were highly demonstrative. clapping and shouting approval, stamping, hissing, and hooting for disapproval. The Romans seem to have done likewise.

At the close of the performance of a comedy in the Roman theatre one of the actors dismissed the audience, with a request for their approbation, the expression being usually plaudite, vos plaudite, or vos valete et plaudite. [William Smith, "A First Latin Reading Book," 1890]
English used it to mean "drive out with violence and sudden noise" (1650s), later, "go off with a loud noise" (American English, 1790); sense of "to burst with destructive force" is first recorded 1882; of population, 1959. Related: Exploded; exploding.