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
• 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

If the bear population really spirals out of control, could Florida please euthanize these bears humanely with medication and not cruelly with bullets for sport? —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 May 2025

The bullet passed through her and struck Souza, wounding him. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 20 May 2025

Connor Lotterman, 19, was struck in the head by a bullet recklessly fired by an unidentified 20-year-old suspect on May 9 at approximately 11:11 p.m., Ottowa County Sheriff's Office confirmed to Fox News Digital. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2025

Ottawa County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) deputies told the outlets that while the shooting is being considered accidental, investigators believe that a suspect, who was on the second floor of the home, fired a gun through the floor multiple times, and one bullet struck Lotterman in the head. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 19 May 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