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
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Its turret design provides enhanced protection against kinetic energy projectiles (APFSDS rounds) and shaped charges (HEAT rounds) and the Tianma-2 also has an Active Protection System (APS), designed to counter anti-tank weapons. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024 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 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

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shaped charge was in 1946

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Cite this Entry

“Shaped charge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shaped%20charge. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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