flash-bang

noun

ˈflash-ˌbaŋ 

variants or flash-bang grenade or flash grenade

plural flash-bangs or flash-bang grenades or flash grenades

: an explosive device that produces a blinding flash of light and a sudden, loud noise intended to temporarily stun, distract, and disperse people and that is thrown by hand or projected

Flash-bangs have become a popular but controversial diversionary tactic used by SWAT teams. The devices give officers key seconds to make tactical moves and are especially useful in hostage situations.

—Michael S. Rosenwald

When armed motorcades arrive at the entrance, Marines toss flash-bang grenades to clear the crowd.

—Gregg Zoroya

Late in the afternoon, officers fired about a dozen flash grenades at the suspect. The loud, bright projectiles seemed to disorient him, and officers were able to rush in and take him into custody.

—Jenna Lyons and Peter Fimrite

called also stun grenade

Examples of flash-bang in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During the raid, police officers threw pyrotechnics and flash-bang explosives into the Albuquerque, New Mexico home. —Pamela Appea, Parents, 7 Apr. 2024

The video also showed that a rifle, handguns, flash-bang and smoke grenades were recovered from the scene, along with ammunition and body armor, but officials did not say whether Savannah was armed when she was gunned down. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024

As some marchers scramble into a nearby patch of woods, a flash-bang goes off. —David Peisner, Rolling Stone, 24 Mar. 2024

Courtney Price said police deployed flash-bang devices that sent her 1-year-old son, Waylon — who has pre-existing heart and lung conditions — to the hospital with burns. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 17 Jan. 2024

The authorities deployed two flash-bang devices outside of the house, per the Elyria Police Department’s news release posted on Facebook that night. —Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 17 Jan. 2024

The toddler's mother Courtney Price told CBS News that Elyria Police broke a window and deployed a flash-bang near her 17-month-old son Waylon during the raid on Jan. 10. —Sarah Al-Arshani, The Enquirer, 16 Jan. 2024

Courtney Price said police broke a window and deployed a flash-bang near her 17-month-old son, Waylon, who was already on a ventilator. —Nikki Battiste, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2024

Following the gas, the attackers entered the bunker and began shooting and throwing flash-bang grenades. —Tara Subramaniam, CNN, 11 Oct. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above