erupt

UK: /ɪˈrʌpt/ US: /ɪˈrʌpt/ ,(i rupt′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

e•rupt /ɪˈrʌpt/   v. 

1. to burst forth:
   [no object] Molten lava erupted from the volcano.
2. Geology (of a volcano, geyser, etc.) to throw out or eject matter violently: [no object]
   Suddenly the volcano erupted.
   [~ + object]
   The volcano erupted lava and ash.
3. to break out of a pent-up state, usually in a sudden and violent manner:
   [no object] Words of anger erupted from her.

e•rup•tion, n. [uncountable* countable] See -rupt-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

e•rupt  (i rupt′), v.i. 

1. to burst forth:
   Molten lava erupted from the top of the volcano.
2. Geology (of a volcano, geyser, etc.) to eject matter.
3. to break out of a pent-up state, usually in a sudden and violent manner:
   Words of anger erupted from her.
4. to break out in a skin rash:
   Hives erupted all over his face and hands.
5. Dentistry (of teeth) to grow through surrounding hard and soft tissues and become visible in the mouth.

v.t. 

6. to release violently;
   burst forth with:
   She erupted angry words.
7. Geology (of a volcano, geyser, etc.) to eject (matter).

• Latin ēruptus burst forth, broken out (past participle of ērumpere), equivalent. to ē- e- + ruptus, past participle of rumpere to break, rupture
• 1650–60

e•rupt′i•ble, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1, 6. vent.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

erupt / ɪˈrʌpt/ verb

1. to eject (steam, water, and volcanic material such as lava and ash) violently or (of volcanic material, etc) to be so ejected
2. (intransitive) (of a skin blemish) to appear on the skin; break out
3. (intransitive) (of a tooth) to emerge through the gum and become visible during the normal process of tooth development
4. (intransitive) to burst forth suddenly and violently, as from restraint

Etymology: 17th Century: from Latin ēruptus having burst forth, from ērumpere, from rumpere to burst

eˈruption noun