implosion

[im-ploh-zhuhn]

noun

1. the act of imploding; a bursting inward (explosion ).

2. Phonetics.

   1. the occlusive phase of stop consonants.

   2. (of a stop consonant) the nasal release heard in the common pronunciation of eaten, sudden, or mitten, in which the vowel of the final syllable is greatly reduced.

   3. the ingressive release of a suction stop.

implosion

/ ɪmˈpləʊʒən /

noun

1. the act or process of imploding

   the implosion of a light bulb

2. phonetics the suction or inhalation of breath employed in the pronunciation of an ingressive consonant

Word History and Origins

Origin of implosion¹

First recorded in 1875–80; im- ¹ + (ex)plosion

Example Sentences

Zappa brought the duo into his Mothers of Invention ensemble not long after the implosion of the Turtles.

From Los Angeles Times

The latest extracts from Nicola Sturgeon's memoirs serve as a reminder of the spectacular implosion of their relationship.

From BBC

The US Coast Guard has determined the implosion of OceanGate's Titan submersible that killed all five people on board was "preventable", citing the company's "critically flawed" safety practices.

From BBC

But we should not lose sight of the Pentagon’s continued implosion.

From Salon

He catalyzed the stampede of 1,200 major corporations exiting Russian in protest of the invasion of Ukraine and was the first to reveal the implosion of the Russian economy under Vladimir Putin.

From Salon

Related Words

• bankruptcy 
• breakdown 
• collapse 
• decline 
• defeat 
• deficiency 
• deterioration 
• failing 
• loss 
• misstep