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 According to the footage that surfaced on social media, the crowd erupted into cheers while the Grammy winner smirked at their reaction. Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 20 Mar. 2024 Gunfire erupted at the church on one end of the block. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024 The volcano erupted a few miles northeast of the coastal town Grindavik, about 30 miles southwest of Iceland's capital city, Reykjavik. USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024 On the ground, deep in the Amazon rainforest, an armed Brazilian government agent watches as a dredge used to illegally mine gold from the Yanomami Indigenous Territory erupts into flames – destroyed on orders from the Federal Police. Ana Ionova, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Mar. 2024 Open feuding has erupted between County Executive Marc Elrich (D) and the firefighters union about who is to blame. Dan Morse, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024 When the worst of the violence erupted at the start of March, Henry was in Kenya to sign an agreement to send 1,000 Kenyan police officers to Haiti to restore the security situation. Anneclaire Stapleton, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024 The reaction to Vanity Fair’s Oscars Party backdrop follows criticism that erupted during and after the 2023 Emmy Awards in January. Degen Pener, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2024 But on January 30, gunfire erupted down the street while the eight-year-old was playing outside, sending a stray bullet through Woodjina’s stomach. Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN, 8 Mar. 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 28 Mar. 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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