# detonation

> English word · Noun · IPA /dɛtəˈneɪʃən/ · frequency rank #26,749

## Definitions
1. An explosion or sudden report made by the near-instantaneous decomposition or combustion of unstable substances. Specifically, combustion that spreads supersonically via shock compression.
2. An explosion or sudden report made by the near-instantaneous decomposition or combustion of unstable substances. Specifically, combustion that spreads supersonically via shock compression.
3. Engine knocking, a type of improper combustion in gasoline piston engines.

## Etymology
From French détonation; equivalent to detonate + -ion.

## Easily confused with
- **donation** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/detonation-vs-donation)
- **detonator** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/detonation-vs-detonator)
- **detention** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/detention-vs-detonation)
- **decoration** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/decoration-vs-detonation)
- **desolation** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/desolation-vs-detonation)
- **destination** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/destination-vs-detonation)

## Common misspellings (15)
`ddetonation`, `deotnation`, `detnoation`, `detoantion`, `detonaiton`, `detonasion`, `detonatino`, `detonationn`, `detonatoin`, `detonattion`, `detonnation`, `detontaion`, `dettonation`, `dteonation`, `edtonation`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/detonation