Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

detonator

/ˈdɛt.ə.neɪ.tə(ɹ)/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.59 in modern English

Syllables: det-o-na-tor
IPA: /ˈdɛt.ə.neɪ.tə(ɹ)/

10

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

4

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A device used to detonate an explosive device etc.

noun

A small explosive device attached to the railhead to provide an audible warning when a train passes over it.

British usage

noun

Any explosive whose action is practically instantaneous.

Archaic

noun

A gun fired by a percussion cap.

Obsolete

Example Sentences

"Warning messages were relayed to the signalmen at Slough East and Dolphin Junction boxes with such celerity that the up main signals were replaced to danger in front of the express before it finally stopped. The signalman at Dolphin Junction just had time to replace the down main signals and pull the emergency lever to lay detonators in front of the fast approaching 7 p.m. Paddington-Reading train."

Etymology

From detonate + -or.

Word Breakdown

Suffix: detonate

Regional Pronunciation

British English: /ˈdɛt.ə.neɪ.tə(ɹ)/

Usage

Inflected Forms

detonators (plural)

Derived Forms

antidetonator microdetonator

Phrases

pencil detonator blasting cap

Frequently Paired Words

detonate detonation blasting cap

Synonyms

fuze fuse torpedo detonating device cap

Questions

How do you pronounce detonator?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈdɛt.ə.neɪ.tə(ɹ)/.
What does detonator mean?: A device used to detonate an explosive device etc.
Where does detonator come from?: From detonate + -or.

How to pronounce detonator

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “detonator”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈdɛt.ə.neɪ.tə(ɹ)/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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