detonation

From French détonation; equivalent to detonate +‎ -ion.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /dɛtəˈneɪʃən/

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• Rhymes: -eɪʃən

detonation (countable and uncountable, plural detonations)

1. (chemistry) 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

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

      a nuclear detonation

      carbon detonation

2. (mechanical engineering) Engine knocking, a type of improper combustion in gasoline piston engines.

The use of detonation to refer to engine knocking is mostly confined to aircraft engines.

• (with respect to speed of propagation): deflagration

• denotation, taeniodont

detonation c (singular definite detonationen, plural indefinite detonationer)

1. detonation

• “detonation” in Den Danske Ordbog