detonator

noun

det·​o·​na·​tor ˈde-tᵊn-ˌā-tər How to pronounce detonator (audio)
-tə-ˌnā-
: a device or small quantity of explosive used for detonating a high explosive

Examples of detonator 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.
The 19-year-old male had bomb-making manuals in his possession along with homemade explosives, detonators and hydrogen peroxide, according to NBC. Janelle Ash, Fox News, 29 Aug. 2024 Think of Europe today as an unexploded bomb, its detonator intact and functional, its explosives still live. Robert Kagan, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2019 Sean Moorhouse, a former British Army officer and explosive ordinance disposal expert, said that only a detonator and explosive charge would have been needed to weaponize the pagers, which already have the other three components. Gianluca Mezzofiore, CNN, 27 Sep. 2024 But if the explosive specialists monitoring from the ship above determine that the weaponry still contains detonators, divers—not a robot—will be sent to detach them. Paul Hockenos, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for detonator 

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of detonator was in 1822

Dictionary Entries Near detonator

Cite this Entry

“Detonator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detonator. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

detonator

noun
det·​o·​na·​tor ˈdet-ᵊn-ˌāt-ər How to pronounce detonator (audio)
-ə-ˌnāt-
: a device or small quantity of explosive used for detonating another explosive

More from Merriam-Webster on detonator

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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