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A Detonation

  1. (chemistry) An explosion or sudden report made by the near-instantaneous decomposition or combustion of unstable substances. Specifically, combustion that spreads supersonically via shock compression.
    1. (by extension) Any sudden explosion made by an exothermic process (whether chemical or not) that produces a supersonic shock wave.
  2. (mechanical engineering) Engine knocking, a type of improper combustion in gasoline piston engines.
Usage notes

The use of detonation to refer to engine knocking is mostly confined to aircraft engines.

Antonyms