bullet

noun

bul·​let ˈbu̇-lət 

 also  ˈbə-

often attributive

1

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

broadly : cartridge sense a

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

ˈbu̇-lə-təd 

 also  ˈbə-

adjective

Synonyms

• ball
• ammunition
• shell
• cartridge
• pellet

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 on the Web

Hankison fired ten shots during the raid—none of which struck Taylor—but several bullets entered a neighboring apartment where a man, a pregnant woman, and a child were present. —Essence, 18 July 2025

The exhibition displays On the Operating Table beside an X-ray image of Munch’s hand—a new technology at the time—in which a bullet can be seen in his finger. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 July 2025

During the deadly police raid, former Louisville officer Brett Hankison fired blindly into Taylor’s home and also sent bullets into a neighboring home, just missing a pregnant mother and a young sleeping child next door, according to NBC News, CNN, and USA Today. —Sean Neumann, People.com, 17 July 2025

The real war of the 21st century may not be fought with bombs and bullets—it may be waged through apps, devices and AI. —Wayne Lonstein, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bullet

• bite the bullet
• bullet point
• bullet train
• dodge a bullet
• dodge the bullet
• magic bullet
• rubber bullet
• silver bullet

Rhymes for bullet

• pullet

Kids Definition

bullet

noun

bul·​let ˈbu̇l-ət 

1

: a usually cone-shaped lead pellet fixed in the front of a firearms cartridge

2

a

: something like a bullet

b

: a large dot used in print to call attention to a particular passage

3

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

bulleted

-ət-əd 

adjective

Etymology

from early French boulette "small ball" and boulet "something thrown or shot," from boule "ball," from Latin bulla "bubble" — related to boil, bowl