erupted; erupting; erupts

intransitive verb

1
a(1)
: to burst from limits or restraint
(2)
of a tooth : to emerge through the gum
b
: to force out or release suddenly and often violently something (such as lava or steam) that is pent up
c
: to become active or violent especially suddenly : break forth
war could erupt at any moment
the audience erupted in applause
2
: to break out with or as if with a skin eruption

transitive verb

: to force out or release usually suddenly and violently
a volcano erupting lava and ash
eruptible adjective
eruptive adjective
eruptively adverb

Examples of erupt in a Sentence

The volcano erupted with tremendous force. A bitter dispute has erupted among the members of the team.
Recent Examples on the Web Since Thursday, when police arrested 108 Columbia University demonstrators, similar protests have erupted on campuses across the country. Patrick Smith, NBC News, 26 Apr. 2024 Beech, who also sometimes lectures and teaches at the University of California, Berkeley, said the U.S. First Amendment may also explain why some U.S. campuses have erupted, and Britain's haven't, over the Israel-Hamas war. Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2024 The student protests -- some of which have turned into around-the-clock encampments and have led to hundreds of arrests -- have erupted throughout the nation following arrests and student removals at Columbia University in New York City. Jon Haworth, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2024 Brown was in the mall shopping to prepare for her baby when gunfire erupted and she was hit.. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2024 At one moment in history, the moon really did look blue due to a freak accident: After Krakatoa erupted in 1883, the moon appeared blue for about two years because sulfur dioxide and other particles that had been released into the atmosphere were blocking red light from reaching Earth. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 24 Apr. 2024 The Columbia clash led to similar protests erupting at Yale, MIT and now the University of Michigan. Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 23 Apr. 2024 Before embarking, make sure to check the tide is high; otherwise, there isn't enough water for the blowhole to erupt. Kathleen Wong, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2024 When the clock struck midnight, the classroom erupted into applause, and the analysis began. Madison Malone Kircher, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'erupt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin eruptus, past participle of erumpere to burst forth, from e- + rumpere to break — more at reave

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of erupt was in 1657

Dictionary Entries Near erupt

Cite this Entry

“Erupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erupt. Accessed 30 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

erupt

verb
1
: to burst forth or cause to burst forth : explode
2
: to break through a surface
teeth erupting from the gum
3
: to break out with or as if with a skin eruption
eruptive adjective

Medical Definition

erupt

intransitive verb
1
of a tooth : to emerge through the gum
2
: to break out (as with a skin eruption)
eruptive adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on erupt

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