blockbuster

noun

block·​bust·​er ˈbläk-ˌbə-stər How to pronounce blockbuster (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For those still celebrating the iconic blockbuster's 50th anniversary, this documentary is essential viewing. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 July 2025 The film also had the best Thursday previews year-to-date at $22.5 million, which is ahead of Matt Reeves’ The Batman ($21.6 million in previews) and the blockbuster hit Barbie ($22.3 million). Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025 The Rafael Devers blockbuster is probably the biggest deal that will go down, but the temptation is there to ponder other earthshaking possibilities, no matter how remote. Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 11 July 2025 If that is true, the Warriors could have another chance to pull off the blockbuster trade. Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for blockbuster

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of blockbuster was in 1942

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Cite this Entry

“Blockbuster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blockbuster. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

blockbuster

noun
block·​bust·​er ˈbläk-ˌbəs-tər How to pronounce blockbuster (audio)
: one that is very large, successful, or violent
a blockbuster of a movie

More from Merriam-Webster on blockbuster

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