verb / noun
burst
BURST/bɜːrst/
A sudden forceful release from confinement.
The ripe seed pod bursts open and scatters its seeds.
Etymology
Berstan described resistant things breaking suddenly, such as cords snapping under tension. It also described objects breaking violently open from internal forces, directly matching the pressure-driven sense today.
In context
Sometime between 1:45 and 2:00 p.m., on January 23rd, a worker was inspecting one of the cylinders when the pressurized hose suddenly burst.
More examples
- She burst into laughter at the unexpected reply.
- A brief burst of rain sent everyone indoors.
- He was bursting with excitement about the trip.
Forms
burst · bursts · bursting
Similar words
- explode
- Usually suggests a more violent release, often involving combustion.