Main Entry:

¹bomb

Pronunciation:

\ˈbäm\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

French bombe, from Italian bomba, probably from Latin bombus deep hollow sound, from Greek bombos, of imitative origin

Date:

1684

1 a: an explosive device fused to detonate under specified conditions b: atomic bomb ; also : nuclear weapons in general —usually used with the2: a vessel for compressed gases: as a: a pressure vessel for conducting chemical experiments b: a container for an aerosol (as an insecticide) : spray can 3: a rounded mass of lava exploded from a volcano4: a lead-lined container for radioactive material5: failure, flop <the play was a bomb>6British : a large sum of money7 aBritish : a great success : hit bslang : one that is striking or extraordinary —used with the<their new album is the bomb>8 a: a long pass in football b: a very long shot (as in basketball) <shooting 3-point bombs> ; also : home run9: something unexpected and unpleasant —often used with drop<dropped a bomb with her resignation>