Learn English Words Explosion, Detonation and Destruction What's the definition of explosion? a violent and destructive shattering or blowing apart of something, as is caused by a bomb. How is detonation similar? The word detonation means the action of causing a bomb or explosive device to explode. How is destruction different? The word destruction means the action or process of causing so much damage to something that it no longer exists or cannot be repaired. For example: "the destruction of the library in Alexandria"