bayonet

noun

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bay·o·net | \ ˈbā-ə-nət

, -ˌnet, ˌbā-ə-ˈnet

Definition of bayonet

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a steel blade attached at the muzzle end of a shoulder arm (such as a rifle) and used in hand-to-hand combat

bayonet

verb

bayoneted also bayonetted; bayoneting also bayonetting

Definition of bayonet (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to stab with a bayonet

2 : to compel or drive by or as if by the bayonet

intransitive verb

: to use a bayonet

Examples of bayonet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The canvas has a jagged hole in it, as if Hitler’s left eye had been gouged out; after the war ended, an American soldier in the Third Army came upon the painting in one of Hitler’s retreats and rammed his bayonet through it. — Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, "Inside the U.S. Army’s Warehouse Full of Nazi Art," 4 Jan. 2021 Just two years from celebrating centenarian status, Richardson, now a grandmother of two and a great-grandmother, is still as unrelenting as that woman who pushed aside the bayonet. — Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, "Gloria Richardson pushed aside a bayonet as a ’60s civil rights activist. Now 98, she wants the new generation to fight on.," 11 Dec. 2020 Underneath a chain fishnet top, Goebel has on a black bayonet bra and string bikini-style bottoms. — Eliza Huber, refinery29.com, "Here’s A Sneak Peek Of Lizzo, Willow Smith, & More At Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty Show," 1 Oct. 2020 The three main types are side post, J-hook, and bayonet. — Sian Babish, chicagotribune.com, "The best windshield wiper of 2020," 1 Oct. 2020 The family was able to salvage Elfert’s service bayonet. — Sharon Edwards, NOLA.com, "WWII vet recalls the Japanese surrender 75 years ago," 14 Sep. 2020 Her choice of shoes, Louboutins in the same hue of green as her outfit, sported heels as pointy and spiked as a bayonet. — Eliza Huber, refinery29.com, "Melania Trump’s Military Look Sent A Strong Message. Should We Care?," 27 Aug. 2020 The two modeled the adapter piece using the SCBA face piece and the bayonet-style connection used for the N95 filter platform. — Randy Mcroberts, baltimoresun.com, "Abingdon volunteer firefighter Ryan Githens helps design N95 mask adapter for use by first responders," 24 Aug. 2020 Students were arrested, and Canfora says the Guard used bayonets to drive students back to their dorms. — Laura Johnston, cleveland, "‘I have great pride in the revolt:’ Kent State University shooting victim Alan Canfora recounts events leading to May 4, 1970," 3 May 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb There were injuries this time, with some students bayoneted for not retreating. — Paula Schleis, cincinnati.com, "She told guardsmen at Kent State 'Flowers are better than bullets!' Then a bullet killed her.," 2 May 2020 And anyway, always better to be bitten by a stingray than bayoneted. — Erik Heinrich, BostonGlobe.com, "Kittiwake wreck dive and Stingray City are unforgettable adventures – even if you do get bit," 16 May 2018 An Army inquiry ultimately determined that 347 civilians were killed that day — shot, bayoneted or blasted with grenades. — Richard Goldstein, New York Times, "Ernest Medina, Army Captain Acquitted in My Lai Massacre, Dies at 81," 13 May 2018 An Army inquiry ultimately determined that 347 civilians were killed that day — shot, bayoneted, or blasted with grenades. — Richard Goldstein, BostonGlobe.com, "Ernest Medina, 81, Army captain acquitted in My Lai Massacre," 14 May 2018 One elderly man was bayoneted to death; another man was thrown alive into a well and killed with a hand grenade. — Washington Post, "50 years ago, the My Lai massacre shamed the US military," 15 Mar. 2018 One elderly man was bayoneted to death; another man was thrown alive into a well and killed with a hand grenade. — Fox News, "50 years ago, the My Lai massacre shamed the US military," 15 Mar. 2018 There are many battles in which surrendering soldiers are gunned down or bayoneted to death. — Dom Giordano, Philly.com, "Bill O'Reilly mastered the art of turning history into fascinating reads | Dom Giordano," 27 Sep. 2017 One of them, Scott Pruitt, the attorney general of Oklahoma, who used his office to bayonet Mr. Obama’s clean-energy regulations, was just chosen by Mr. Trump to become the new head of the Environmental Protection Agency. — Vivian Yee, New York Times, "To Combat Trump, Democrats Ready a G.O.P. Tactic: Lawsuits," 14 Dec. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bayonet.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.