blockbuster
noun
block·bust·er
ˈbläk-ˌbə-stər 
often attributive
1
: a very large high-explosive bomb
2
: one that is notably expensive, effective, successful, large, or extravagant
3
: one who engages in blockbusting
Examples of blockbuster in a Sentence
a 900-page blockbuster of a novel
the movie is expected to be the biggest blockbuster of the summer
Recent Examples on the Web
The rapper is planning on releasing her debut album Y2K this year as a follow-up to her 2023 blockbuster EP Like…?
—
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2024
O’Leary also stressed the importance of having a variety of movies, versus relying solely on blockbusters.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Apr. 2024
This year, a number of potential upcoming blockbusters remain.
—Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
There are plenty of nostalgic titles on the streamer, from technicolor musicals to tense Westerns.
Tired of FX-heavy blockbusters?
—Danny Horn, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2024
The blockbuster monster mash earned $8.5 million on Friday, down a steep 77% from its opening day a week ago.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 6 Apr. 2024
Perverse was the word that again came to mind when, shortly after the attack on WCK, +972 and Local Call published a blockbuster investigation revealing the extent of Israel’s reliance on artificial intelligence to select targets in Gaza for assassination.
—Longreads, 5 Apr. 2024
In doing so, Mulkey turned a non-story into a blockbuster.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024
Godzilla arguably created the blueprint for modern blockbusters.
—Katie Rife, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2024
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2024
O’Leary also stressed the importance of having a variety of movies, versus relying solely on blockbusters.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Apr. 2024
This year, a number of potential upcoming blockbusters remain.
—Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
There are plenty of nostalgic titles on the streamer, from technicolor musicals to tense Westerns.
Tired of FX-heavy blockbusters?
—Danny Horn, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2024
The blockbuster monster mash earned $8.5 million on Friday, down a steep 77% from its opening day a week ago.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 6 Apr. 2024
Perverse was the word that again came to mind when, shortly after the attack on WCK, +972 and Local Call published a blockbuster investigation revealing the extent of Israel’s reliance on artificial intelligence to select targets in Gaza for assassination.
—Longreads, 5 Apr. 2024
In doing so, Mulkey turned a non-story into a blockbuster.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024
Godzilla arguably created the blueprint for modern blockbusters.
—Katie Rife, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'blockbuster.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1942, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near blockbuster
Cite this Entry
“Blockbuster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blockbuster. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
blockbuster
noun
block·bust·er
ˈbläk-ˌbəs-tər
: one that is very large, successful, or violent
a blockbuster of a movie
More from Merriam-Webster on blockbuster
Nglish: Translation of blockbuster for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of blockbuster for Arabic Speakers
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