transitive verb exploded -·plod′ed, exploding -·plod′·ing

1. to cause to be rejected; expose as false; discredit to explode a theory
2. to make burst with a loud noise; blow up; detonate
3. to cause to change suddenly and violently from a solid or liquid to a quickly expanding gas
4. to cause rapid nuclear fusion or fission in, with accompanying destructive force
5. Golf to hit (a ball) from a sand trap with an explosion shot

Etymology: orig., to drive off the stage by clapping and hooting < L explodere < ex-, off + plaudere, to applaud

intransitive verb

1. to be exploded; burst noisily and violently
2. to break forth noisily to explode with anger
3. to increase very rapidly the area's population is exploding