Pronunciation: (blast, bläst), [key]
1. a sudden and violent gust of wind: Wintry blasts chilled us to the marrow.
2. the blowing of a trumpet, whistle, etc.: One blast of the siren was enough to clear the street.
3. a loud, sudden sound or noise: The radio let out an awful blast before I could turn it off.
4. a forcible stream of air from the mouth, bellows, or the like.
a. air forced into a furnace by a blower to increase the rate of combustion.
b. a jet of steam directed up a smokestack, as of a steam locomotive, to increase draft.
c. a draft thus increased.
6. a forceful or explosive throw, hit, etc.: a blast down the third-base line.
a. a party or riotously good time: Did we have a blast last night!
b. something that gives great pleasure or enjoyment; thrill; treat: My new electronic game is a blast.
8. a vigorous outburst of criticism; attack.
9. See blast wave.
10. Mining, Civ. Engin.the charge of dynamite or other explosive used at one firing in blasting operations.
11. the act of exploding; explosion: Some say the blast was in the next county.
12. any pernicious or destructive influence, esp. on animals or plants; a blight.
13. the sudden death of buds, flowers, or young fruit.
14. at full blast, at maximum capacity; at or with full volume or speed: The factory is going at full blast. Also,full blast.
1. to make a loud noise on; blow (a trumpet, automobile horn, etc.): He blasted his horn irritably at every car in his way.
2. to cause to shrivel or wither; blight.
3. to affect with any pernicious influence; ruin; destroy: Failure in the exam blasted her hopes for college. It was an indiscretion that blasted his good reputation.
4. to break up or dislodge (a tree stump, rock, etc.): Their explosives were inadequate to blast the granite.
5. to make, form, open up, etc., by blasting: to blast a tunnel through a mountain.
6. to show to be false, unreliable, etc.; discredit: His facts soundly blasted the new evidence.
7. Informal.to curse; damn (usually fol. by it or an object): Blast it, there's the phone again! Blast the time, we've got to finish this work.
8. to censure or criticize vigorously; denounce: In his campaign speech he really blasts the other party.
9. to hit or propel with great force: He blasted a homer that tied the game. They were blasted into outer space.
10. to shoot: The terrorists blasted him down.
1. to produce a loud, blaring sound: The trumpets blasted as the overture began. His voice blasted until the microphone was turned down.
2. to shoot: He whipped out his revolver and started blasting.
3. Slang.to take narcotics.
4. blast off,
a. (of a rocket) to leave a launch pad under its own power.
b. (of an astronaut) to travel aloft in a rocket.
var. of blasto- as final element of a compound word: ectoblast.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.