high explosive: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical, Military, Figurative/Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “high explosive” mean?
A chemical explosive with a high velocity of detonation, designed to produce a powerful blast effect and shatter its surroundings, as opposed to low explosives which produce a slower pushing or heaving effect.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A chemical explosive with a high velocity of detonation, designed to produce a powerful blast effect and shatter its surroundings, as opposed to low explosives which produce a slower pushing or heaving effect.
By extension, any situation, statement, or revelation that has a sudden, dramatic, and destructive impact, analogous to the effect of the explosive.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling and usage are identical. Differences lie primarily in the specific military or industrial regulations and jargon of the respective countries.
Connotations
Strongly associated with military ordinance, demolition, mining, and major industrial accidents in both varieties.
Frequency
Similar frequency in technical/military contexts. Slightly more likely in UK media to refer to IRA-related historical incidents, while in US media it may reference domestic terrorism or mining accidents.
Grammar
How to Use “high explosive” in a Sentence
[Subject] detonated/used a high explosive.The device was packed with [high explosive].They recovered [X kg] of high explosive.[High explosive] was found in the vehicle.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “high explosive” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A as a single verb. Can be used in verb phrases: 'The sappers will high-explosive clear the blockage.' (very rare/technical).
American English
- N/A as a single verb. Can be used in verb phrases: 'They plan to high-explosive demolish the structure.' (very rare/technical).
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The vehicle was a suspected high-explosive carrier.
- They conducted a high-explosive test.
American English
- He was charged with trafficking high-explosive materials.
- A high-explosive round penetrated the armour.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in specific industries like mining or demolition: 'The project requires a permit for high explosive use.'
Academic
Used in chemistry, engineering, and military history papers: 'The transition from black powder to high explosives revolutionised warfare.'
Everyday
Almost exclusively in news reports about terrorism, accidents, or military action: 'Police confirmed the bomb contained high explosive.'
Technical
Precise term in ordnance, demolition, and safety manuals: 'Ensure a minimum safety distance of 500m for this quantity of high explosive.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “high explosive”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “high explosive”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “high explosive”
- Using 'highly explosive' (which describes a volatile situation or temperament) to mean 'high explosive' (a technical noun phrase).
- Treating it as a compound adjective instead of a compound noun (e.g., 'a high-explosive device' is correct, but the term itself is a noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, dynamite is a classic example of a high explosive, as it detonates rapidly to produce a shattering blast.
'High explosive' is a noun phrase naming a type of material. 'Highly explosive' is an adjective phrase describing something (e.g., a situation or a person's temper) as very volatile or likely to erupt.
Yes, it is sometimes used figuratively in journalism or commentary to describe information or an event that causes sudden, major disruption (e.g., 'The scandal was a political high explosive.').
Yes, TNT (trinitrotoluene) is one of the most well-known and historically significant high explosives.
A chemical explosive with a high velocity of detonation, designed to produce a powerful blast effect and shatter its surroundings, as opposed to low explosives which produce a slower pushing or heaving effect.
High explosive is usually technical, military, figurative/journalistic in register.
High explosive: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ɪkˈspləʊsɪv/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ɪkˈsploʊsɪv/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A political high explosive”
- “The report was a high explosive in the quiet campaign.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think HIGH speed, HIGH shatter. A 'high' explosive detonates so fast it shatters things before it can push them aside.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISRUPTIVE NEWS/EVENT IS AN EXPLOSION; 'The leaked memo was a high explosive in the boardroom.'
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic that defines a 'high explosive'?