detonation
nounUK /dɛtəˈneɪʃən/
Etymology From French détonation; equivalent to detonate + -ion.
1
Chemistry, Natural sciences, Physical sciences An 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
2
Chemistry, Natural sciences, Physical sciences Broadly Any sudden explosion made by an exothermic process (whether chemical or not) that produces a supersonic shock wave.
- a nuclear detonation
- carbon detonation
3
Engineering, Mechanical, Mechanical engineering, Natural sciences, Physical sciences Engine knocking, a type of improper combustion in gasoline piston engines.
- Antonyms
- deflagration
- Derived terms
- antidetonation, autodetonation, carbon detonation, detonation cord, pulse detonation engine, rotating detonation engine, sympathetic detonation
- Hypernyms
- combustion, decomposition