'Detonate' definitions:

Definition of 'detonate'

From: WordNet
verb
Cause to burst with a violent release of energy; "We exploded the nuclear bomb" [syn: explode, detonate, blow up, set off]
verb
Burst and release energy as through a violent chemical or physical reaction;"the bomb detonated at noon"; "The Molotov cocktail exploded" [syn: detonate, explode, blow up]

Definition of 'Detonate'

From: GCIDE
  • Detonate \Det"o*nate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Detonated; p. pr. & vb. n. Detonating.] [L. detonare, v. i., to thunder down; de + tonare to thunder; akin to E. thunder. See Thunder, and cf. Detonize.] To explode with a sudden report; as, niter detonates with sulphur. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Detonate'

From: GCIDE
  • Detonate \Det"o*nate\, v. t. To cause to explode; to cause to burn or inflame with a sudden report. [1913 Webster]