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

Synonyms

• success
• hit

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

Besides giving birth to one of the most powerful horror villains of all time, Jaws became the first summer blockbuster. —Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025

There’s yet another action anime blockbuster based on TV series based on a manga poised to tear up the American box office this weekend. —Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025

The 42-seat luxurious movie theater is a place where countless presidents, their families or staff have screened any movie of their choosing, whether the latest Hollywood blockbuster, an Oscar contender or a perennial classic. —Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025

One potential holdup to the potential blockbuster deal is the salary-cap implications. —MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for blockbuster

• adjuster
• baluster
• combustor
• lackluster
• bluster
• buster
• cluster
• duster
• juster
• luster
• lustre
• muster

Kids Definition

blockbuster

noun

block·​bust·​er ˈbläk-ˌbəs-tər 

: one that is very large, successful, or violent

a blockbuster of a movie