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

Inside the deli, workers leapt for cover as bullets whizzed through the store. —Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026

Investigators later found six bullet holes in the vehicle gate at Rihanna’s home, along with a seventh in a pedestrian gate, court documents obtained by Rolling Stone confirm. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2026

Another witness to the shooting described the moment a bullet flew through his apartment door. —Kristina Rex, CBS News, 13 May 2026

The bullet may have grazed his right hip. —Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026

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