bullet

play

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

Updated on: 26 Jul 2017

Definition of bullet

1 : a round or elongated missile (as of lead) to be fired from a firearm; broadly : cartridge 1a
2a : 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

Now that the GOP is using real bullets the calculus is very, very different.

— margaret hartmann, Daily Intelligencer, "Trumpcare as We Know It Is Dead," 17 July 2017
Bits of lead bullets consumed along with the meat break down quickly in an eagle’s stomach and enter its bloodstream.

— mary esch, The Seattle Times, "Bald eagle threat: Lead ammo left behind by hunters," 16 July 2017
Some readers will be aghast that chapters end with bullet-point summaries and questions, evoking the worst of unctuous business tomes.

— The Economist, "A new way to workWhat will business technology look like tomorrow?," 13 July 2017
According to the Tax Policy Center, the cuts that Team Trump included in their bullet-point outline last April could result in a loss of revenue between $3.4 trillion and $7.8 trillion over 10 years.

— vanityfair.com, "Trump’s Tax Plan Would Be 23,500 Times Better for the Ultra-Rich Than the Poor," 12 July 2017
Hoping to stretch pensions, retirees head to Latin America The most damning evidence, her family believes, was that a single bullet entered the left side of her head, but a paraffin test found no gunshot residue on her dominant left hand.

— jim wyss, miamiherald, "Three years on, death in the Galapagos remains a mystery," 9 July 2017
About three hours later, with Fourth of July fireworks still going off, Mr. Bonds strode up to Officer Familia’s command post and fired a .38-caliber revolver through a window, killing her with a bullet to the head.

— benjamin mueller, al baker and sewell chan, New York Times, "Police Officer Is ‘Murdered for Her Uniform’ in the Bronx," 5 July 2017
A bystander was hit in the stomach by a bullet during the standoff and is in stable condition, police said.

— colleen long, chicagotribune.com, "New York City cop fatally shot while sitting in patrol car," 5 July 2017
Debuting on iTunes: Free Fire (July 4) Brie Larson and Armie Hammer are two of many colorful criminals who have to fight for their lives—amidst an unending hail of bullets—in Ben Wheatley's shoot-'em-up action-comedy.

— nick schager, Esquire, "Here Are the Must-Stream Movies of July 2017," 30 June 2017

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

See Words from the same year

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

play

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