shrapnel

noun

shrap·​nel ˈshrap-nᵊl 

especially Southern ˈsrap-

plural shrapnel

1

: a projectile that consists of a case provided with a powder charge and a large number of usually lead balls and that is exploded in flight

2

: bomb, mine, or shell fragments

Examples of shrapnel in a Sentence

He has a piece of shrapnel in his leg.

Shrapnel from the explosion wounded many people.

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to the 18-year-old woman who died, authorities said, others suffered gunshot and shrapnel wounds as dozens of shots were fired at the popular boating, fishing and swimming lake about 20 miles north of downtown Oklahoma City. —Hannah Schoenbaum, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026

In footage obtained by NBC DFW and Fox 4, Zapata could be seen rushing the resident to safety following the gunfire before being hit by shrapnel in his eye and calling authorities for assistance. —Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026

His most severe injuries were to his eyes, which were pierced with shrapnel. —Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 6 May 2026

Her son's recovery includes numerous medical appointments as bits of shrapnel are still in his body. —Derek James, CBS News, 5 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Henry Shrapnel †1842 English artillery officer

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

shrapnel

noun

shrap·​nel ˈshrap-nᵊl 

plural shrapnel

1

: a shell designed to burst and scatter metal balls with which it is filled along with jagged fragments of the case

2

: metal pieces from an exploded bomb, shell, or mine