detonation

1. An explosion or sudden report made by the near-instantaneous decomposition or combustion of unstable substances. Specifically, combustion that spreads supersonically via shock compression. (countable, uncountable) · the detonation of gun cotton
2. Any sudden explosion made by an exothermic process (whether chemical or not) that produces a supersonic shock wave. (countable, uncountable) · a nuclear detonation· carbon detonation
3. Engine knocking, a type of improper combustion in gasoline piston engines. (countable, uncountable)

Plural detonations