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 of bullet

• 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

The Georgia Historical Society marker, which was repeatedly vandalized with bullet holes and damaged by an off-road vehicle at its original location in rural southern Georgia, now forms the centerpiece of a new exhibit that includes testimony from Turner's descendants spanning six generations. —Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025

Momentum carried into the second quarter for Xaverian, as Wood fired a bullet over the middle. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 7 Dec. 2025

Nonetheless, the two men would take a bullet for each other. —Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 6 Dec. 2025

The bison had a bullet hole entry and exit wound through her lungs and a silver RFID tag in her right ear. —Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Dec. 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