bombard

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noun bom·bard \ˈbäm-ˌbärd\

Definition of bombard

: a late medieval cannon used to hurl large stones

bombard was our Word of the Day on 05/27/2011. Hear the podcast!

Recent Examples of bombard from the Web

So much heat and ultraviolet radiation bombards the planet's daytime side that molecules like methane cannot form—elements on that half of the world exist in atomic form.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Researchers Discover a Planet That’s As Hot As a Star," 6 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of bombard

Middle English bombarde, from Middle French, probably from Latin bombus

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Other History Terms

agonistic, carpetbagger, enceinte, fief, historiography, paladin

bombard

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verb bom·bard \bäm-ˈbärd also bəm-\

Definition of bombard

transitive verb
1 : to attack especially with artillery or bombers
2 : to assail vigorously or persistently (as with questions)
3 : to subject to the impact of rapidly moving particles (such as electrons)

bombardment

play \-mənt\ noun

See bombard defined for English-language learners

See bombard defined for kids

Examples of bombard in a Sentence

The navy bombarded the shore.
Scientists bombarded the sample with X-rays.
The car was bombarded by rocks as it drove away from the angry crowd.

Recent Examples of bombard from the Web

We are bombarded by chirpy, self-laudatory interruptions, expected to drop everything and cheer at any second.

— heather havrilesky, The Cut, "Ask Polly: It Seems Like My Friends Don’t Like Me," 19 July 2017
As she’s bombarded with kids’ frantic questions, Bennett is Yoda, calmly dispensing knowledge.

— erik himmelsbach-weinstein, Los Angeles Magazine, "This Valley Middle School Has One of the Best Film Programs in the Country," 10 July 2017
After friends bombarded the director with praise of Sam's capacity to make people laugh, he was invited to try out.

— ron grossman, chicagotribune.com, "When opportunity knocked, Sam went running," 6 July 2017
People who work at customs and security are bombarded with all sorts of personalities.

— jane sung, Condé Nast Traveler, "How to Pack a Suitcase for a Round-the-World Trip," 28 June 2017
As the coalition and rebel groups bombard one another, terror groups operate unhindered and civilians are caught in the crossfire.

— katie polglase, schams elwazer and joe sterling, CNN, "Saudi Arabia, major combatant in Yemen, to tackle spread of cholera," 23 June 2017
In just three months, one Miami man apparently bombarded consumers with 96 million spoofed robocalls in an attempt to sell vacation packages, many of which included timeshares.

— samantha j. gross, miamiherald, "Miami man accused of making 96 million robocalls now faces $120 million fine," 23 June 2017
When Ghofran’s contractions started, Iraqi forces were bombarding ISIS positions nearby; warplanes flew overhead.

— erin trieb, Glamour, "Iraqi Women on Surviving ISIS: 'It Was Normal for Children to Play with Severed Heads'," 22 June 2017
Military aircraft bombard militant positions with rockets and bombs in daily airstrikes.

— jim gomez, The Seattle Times, "Philippines eyes truce with communist rebels amid siege," 18 June 2017

Did You Know?

In the late Middle Ages, a bombard was a cannon used to hurl large stones at enemy fortifications. Its name, which first appeared in English in the 15th century, derived via Middle French and Middle English from the Latin noun bombus (a word referring to the same device). The verb "bombard" blasted onto the scene in English in 1686, with an original meaning of "to attack especially with artillery"; as weapons technology improved throughout the centuries, such artillery came to include things like automatic rifles and bomber aircraft. Nowadays one can be bombarded figuratively in any number of ways, such as by omnipresent advertising messages or persistent phone calls.

First Known Use of bombard

1686

Synonym Discussion of bombard

attack, assail, assault, bombard, storm mean to make an onslaught upon. attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle. plan to attack the town at dawn assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots. assailed the enemy with artillery fire assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught. commandos assaulted the building from all sides bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells. bombarded the city nightly storm implies attempting to break into a defended position. preparing to storm the fortress

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

BOMBARD Defined for English Language Learners

bombard

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verb

Definition of bombard for English Language Learners

: to attack (a place) with bombs, large guns, etc.
: to hit or attack (something or someone) constantly or repeatedly

BOMBARD Defined for Kids

bombard

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verb bom·bard \bäm-ˈbärd\

Definition of bombard for Students

bombarded

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bombarding

1 : to attack with heavy fire from big guns : shell bombard a fort
2 : to hit or attack again and again We were bombarded by ads. Smells he couldn't place bombarded him. — Brian Selznick, Wonderstruck