detonation

What it means

1. countableuncountablechemistryAn explosion or sudden report made by the near-instantaneous decomposition or combustion of unstable substances. Specifically, combustion that spreads supersonically via shock compression.

   the detonation of gun cotton

   1. broadlycountableuncountablechemistryAny sudden explosion made by an exothermic process (whether chemical or not) that produces a supersonic shock wave.

      carbon detonation

      1 more example

      a nuclear detonation

2. countableuncountableengineeringEngine knocking, a type of improper combustion in gasoline piston engines.

In a sentence

the detonation of gun cotton

Where it comes from

1. Frenchdétonation
2. Englishdetonation

From French détonation; equivalent to detonate + -ion.