explosion

Universal Words noun 1 [C,U] the sudden violent bursting and loud noise of sth such as a bomb exploding; the act of deliberately causing sth to explode: a bomb / nuclear / gas explosion * There were two loud explosions and then the building burst into flames. * Bomb Squad officers carried out a controlled explosion of the device. * 300 people were injured in the explosion. 2 [C] a large, sudden or rapid increase in the amount or number of sth: a population explosion * an explosion of interest in learning Japanese * an explosion in oil prices 3 [C] (formal) a sudden, violent expression of emotion, especially anger SYNOUTBURST: Do you know what brought on that explosion? * Demonstrators clashed with riot police in an explosion of anger at live animal exports.