implosion

noun

im·​plo·​sion im-ˈplō-zhən How to pronounce implosion (audio)
1
: the action of imploding
2
: the act or action of bringing to or as if to a center
also : integration
This implosion of cultures makes realistic for the first time the age-old vision of a world culture … —Kenneth Keniston
3
: the inrush of air in forming a suction stop
implosive
im-ˈplō-siv How to pronounce implosion (audio)
-ziv
adjective or noun

Examples of implosion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Reid Detmers yielded one run and eight hits over six resilient innings, but the AL-worst Angels lost their fifth straight with yet another bullpen implosion. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026 Punk’s past issues with Kevin Owens have not come anywhere near an implosion in WWE, which has far more authority over its talent and is therefore in better position to monetize backstage beef. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Initially, at least, much of the reporting focused on the implosion of the Swans’ season and the impact the scandal would have on their Premiership hopes. — Michael Bailey, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Crowley, who reentered the race amid her implosion, benefited from the support of older, noncollege and Black voters. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for implosion

Word History

Etymology

in- entry 2 + -plosion (as in explosion)

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of implosion was in 1877

Rhymes for implosion

See All Rhymes for implosion

Browse Nearby Words

imploringness
implosion
implosive
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Implosion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/implosion. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

implosion

noun
im·​plo·​sion im-ˈplō-zhən How to pronounce implosion (audio)
: the action of imploding
implosive
-ˈplō-siv How to pronounce implosion (audio)
-ziv
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on implosion

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about implosion

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All