Burst

A burst is a sudden, short-lived release or emission of something concentrated in time and space, producing a rapid increase followed by a decline.

In physics, bursts include explosions, electric discharges, seismic events, and bursts of radiation. In astronomy, gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are brief, intense high-energy emissions from distant galaxies, lasting from milliseconds to minutes and among the most luminous events observed. Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are millisecond radio pulses of unknown origin.

In biology, burst firing refers to groups of action potentials in rapid succession within neurons. In physiology, the release of hormones or neurotransmitters can occur as a burst, and muscle activity can exhibit bursts of contraction during certain movements or tasks.

In technology and communications, burst transmission or burstiness describes periods of densely packed data packets followed by intervals of low activity. In computing, burst mode can denote a temporary surge in processor, memory, or storage performance. Burst photography captures a rapid sequence of frames to preserve motion details.

The term is also used in everyday language to describe a sudden period of intense activity or emotion, such as a burst of laughter or a burst of rain.

Etymology-wise, the word originates from Old English burstan, and it has been adopted across disciplines to describe rapid, concentrated occurrences in time.