Blast

/blæst/

nounBeginnerVery CommonGeneral

Definitions

3 meanings
1

A sudden, powerful flow of air, water, or other substance.

/blæst/

nounneutralBeginner
General

A sudden, violent expulsion of air or other substance.

The blast of wind nearly knocked me over.

💡 Simply: A strong gust or explosion.

More Examples

2

The explosion created a powerful blast wave.

How It's Used

Meteorology

"A strong blast of wind blew the tree down."

Mining

"The miners used explosives to create a blast in the mountain."

2

To destroy or damage something with explosives.

/blæst/

verbnegativeBeginner
General

To destroy or damage something with an explosion.

The building was blasted to rubble.

💡 Simply: To explode something.

More Examples

2

They blasted a hole in the wall.

How It's Used

Military

"They blasted the enemy bunker with artillery shells."

Tip:Remember 'blast' as in blasting something to bits.
3

To play (music) very loudly.

/blæst/

verbneutralBeginner
Arts

To play music loudly.

They blasted music all night.

💡 Simply: To play music very loudly.

More Examples

2

The DJ blasted his favorite tunes.

How It's Used

Music

"The band blasted their hit song."

Tip:Imagine a loud, powerful sound.

Idioms & expressions

have a blast

To have a great time; to enjoy oneself immensely.

"We had an absolute blast at the party!"

From Middle English *blasten, from Old English *blǣstan, from Proto-Germanic *blǣstan, related to Old High German *blesan "to blow".

Historically, 'blast' was primarily used in the context of blowing or breathing forcefully, before expanding to include the sense of explosion.

Memory tip

Think of a strong gust of wind – that's a blast!

Base: blast
blasstblaast

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written