bullet

noun, often attributive bul·let \ ˈbu̇-lət also ˈbə- \

|Updated on: 24 Jun 2018

Examples: bullet in a Sentence

Definition of bullet

1 : a round or elongated missile (as of lead) to be fired from a firearm; broadly : cartridge 1a

2 a : something resembling a bullet (as in curved form)

b : a large dot placed in printed matter to call attention to a particular passage

3 : a very fast and accurately thrown or hit object (such as a ball or puck)

—

bulleted

play \-lə-təd\ adjective

See bullet defined for English-language learners

See bullet defined for kids

Examples of bullet in a Sentence

He was killed by an assassin's bullet.
Bullets were used to separate each item.
The quarterback threw a bullet to the receiver.

Recent Examples of bullet from the Web

In this battle between the team with the fewest innings pitched by starting pitchers and the team with the most, the six Rays pitchers outdueled Cole, but Tampa Bay's seventh arm ran out of bullets.

— hunter atkins, Houston Chronicle, "Alex Bregman’s walk-off double gives Astros 12th straight win," 19 June 2018
The incident unfolded shortly after 11 a.m. Tuesday when officers initially went to the area of South 4th Street and West Lapham Avenue after reports of bullets hitting nearby cars.

— ashley luthern, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee man forgot he had gun, fired it accidentally inside squad car, charges say," 15 June 2018
One of the bullets traveled across the street into an office building.

— chicagotribune.com, "Almost nothing is known about dozens of concealed carry shootings in Illinois. Why?," 15 June 2018
Wounded in the furious fusillade of bullets pouring from the auto the two officers had stopped was Officer Frank C. Reed, 24, who suffered chest and hand wounds.

— johnny miller, San Francisco Chronicle, "SF police officer shot to death in gunbattle in 1968," 14 June 2018
Some of the bullets shattered glass and hit other victims.

— jeremy pierre, ajc, "2 killed, 2 hospitalized in family fight over stray dog," 13 June 2018
Police are investigating the discovery of a 40-caliber magazine of bullets at Farmington High School on Friday afternoon, according to a report from WDIV (Channel 4).

— deasia paige, Detroit Free Press, "Farmington High School on lockdown after bullets found in auditorium," 8 June 2018
The footage shows a barrage of bullets being fired inside and outside Trump National Doral on May 18, 2018.

— david ovalle, miamiherald, "Former porn actor and male stripper who shot up Trump hotel formally charged," 8 June 2018
Two of the bullets traveled through the wall into another apartment, whose occupants were home at the time, police said.

— laurel andrews, Anchorage Daily News, "Anchorage man threatened wife, fired shots through apartment wall, police say," 7 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of bullet

Middle French boulette small ball & boulet missile, diminutives of boule ball — more at bowl

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1579

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

bullet Synonyms

Synonyms

ball, pellet;

Near Antonyms

blank;

Financial Definition of BULLET

bullet

noun

What It Is

Bullet is usually short for bullet payment, which is typically a large payment made near the end of a loan that does not amortize over time.

How It Works

Unlike a loan whose total cost (interest and principal) is amortized – that is, paid incrementally during the life of the loan -- a bullet loan's principal is paid in one sum at the end of the term. That sum is called the bullet. Sometimes the interest is collected as part of the bullet payment as well, though in many cases the loan is interest-only during the term of the loan with only the outstanding principal due at the end.

Suppose someone takes out a loan for $1,000 that must be repaid in one year at an interest rate of 10% compounded annually. If the loan has a bullet, this person would have to pay $1,100 ($1,000 in principal plus $100 in interest) in one payment at the end of one year.

Why It Matters

Loans with bullets have the advantage of not having to immediately begin paying back the loan. This can be preferable for companies that do not anticipate having enough cash flow in the near future. The borrower must, however, be prepared to repay the principal and interest in its entirety at the end of the term.

Source: Investing Answers

BULLET Defined for English Language Learners

bullet

noun

Definition of bullet for English Language Learners

: a small piece of metal or another material that is shot out of a gun
: a large dot in a document, book, etc., that brings attention to separate pieces of information in a list
sports : a hit or thrown ball or puck that is moving very fast