shaped charge
noun
: an explosive charge the energy of which is focused in one direction so that it usually achieves an armor-penetrating effect
Examples of shaped charge in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The service developed a device that used two explosive charges in quick succession, the first a small shaped charge to make an initial hole in the ground, and then a larger cratering charge.
—
Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 5 Oct. 2022
The five-pound mines have a shaped charge which fires upwards when a vehicle drives over them; other mines immobilize a tank by destroying a track, the AT2 destroys them.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2022
The grenade’s shaped charge warhead punches through over 200mm of steel, and so easily penetrates a tank’s thin top armor.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 1 June 2022
Javelin can engage tanks head-on or from above, firing a shaped charge down into the turret from above.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 2 Mar. 2022
The crew of five (four weapon operators and a driver) are protected by the heavy tank chassis armor and Relikt reactive armor tiles designed to neutralize shaped charge warheads.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 3 Dec. 2020
Russian tanks fire shaped charge and armor piercing shells to kill enemy tanks, but at very long ranges enemy vehicles become more difficult to hit with unguided rounds.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 11 Sep. 2018
Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 5 Oct. 2022
The five-pound mines have a shaped charge which fires upwards when a vehicle drives over them; other mines immobilize a tank by destroying a track, the AT2 destroys them.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2022
The grenade’s shaped charge warhead punches through over 200mm of steel, and so easily penetrates a tank’s thin top armor.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 1 June 2022
Javelin can engage tanks head-on or from above, firing a shaped charge down into the turret from above.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 2 Mar. 2022
The crew of five (four weapon operators and a driver) are protected by the heavy tank chassis armor and Relikt reactive armor tiles designed to neutralize shaped charge warheads.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 3 Dec. 2020
Russian tanks fire shaped charge and armor piercing shells to kill enemy tanks, but at very long ranges enemy vehicles become more difficult to hit with unguided rounds.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 11 Sep. 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shaped charge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1946, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near shaped charge
Cite this Entry
“Shaped charge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shaped%20charge. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shaped charge
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