howitzer

noun

how·​it·​zer ˈhau̇-ət-sər How to pronounce howitzer (audio)
: a short cannon used to fire projectiles at medium muzzle velocities and with relatively high trajectories

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The clay-heavy soil, which helps make Ukraine an agricultural powerhouse, simply does not drain well, resulting in a wet, gloopy mess that can bog down not only conventional vehicles with tires but also tracked vehicles like tanks or the 2S1 howitzer. Anastacia Galouchka, Washington Post, 26 May 2023 By December, the U.S. alone had approved $19.3 billion worth of drones, howitzers, missiles, and rockets. Louis Mazzante, Popular Mechanics, 23 Feb. 2023 The package would include more military equipment, including artillery ammunition; more Javelins, an anti-tank missile system; and howitzers, or long-range artillery weapons, Biden said. Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2023 There was more discussion of how to produce 155 mm howitzer rounds and where to find more Leopard 2 tanks to send to Ukraine than there was of possible diplomatic solutions. David E. Sanger, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Feb. 2023 While the selection process for a new howitzer gets underway, the army could get a few new-ish guns to bridge the gap between the AS-90s and whatever comes next. David Axe, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023 Canadian Defence Minister Anita Anand said the donation would include C$15.2 million in equipment from the Canadian Armed Forces’ inventory, including 155mm NATO-standard artillery rounds, fuses, and charge bags compatible with M777 howitzer artillery guns. Sophie Mellor, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2022 The latest package will include new capabilities that the U.S. hasn’t sent to Ukraine before, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said, including 18 howitzer artillery guns and 40,000 shells for the weapons and protective equipment against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear warfare. Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2022 And more than a few spectators jumped as the first of 19 howitzer cannon blasts rang out into the air, each new blast further unfurling a thick cloud of smoke across the common. Ivy Scott, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'howitzer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Dutch houwitser, ultimately from Czech houfnice ballista

First Known Use

1695, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of howitzer was in 1695

Dictionary Entries Near howitzer

Cite this Entry

“Howitzer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/howitzer. Accessed 7 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

howitzer

noun
how·​it·​zer ˈhau̇-ət-sər How to pronounce howitzer (audio)
: a short cannon capable of firing a shell in a high arc
Etymology

from Dutch houwitser "howitzer," derived from a Czechoslovakian word for "catapult"

More from Merriam-Webster on howitzer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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