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

Shards of shrapnel are still lodged in her chest – so close to her heart that doctors preferred not to operate to remove them. — Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 13 June 2026

The second victim who survived, I’yahni Reynolds was struck by a shrapnel that lodged in her face. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 June 2026

The shell landed about three feet from the teenage Hemingway, knocking him out and filling his legs with shrapnel. — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026

However, a moment later, burning shrapnel from the blast ignites a fire below. — David Hambling, Forbes.com, 19 June 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