Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Detonation \Det`o*na"tion\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]tonation.]
   An explosion or sudden report made by the instantaneous
   decomposition or combustion of unstable substances' as, the
   detonation of gun cotton.

Source : WordNet®

detonation
     n 1: a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear
          reaction [syn: {explosion}, {blowup}]
     2: the act of detonating an explosive