shrapnel

noun

shrap·​nel ˈshrap-nᵊl 

especially Southern ˈsrap-

plural shrapnel

1

: a projectile that consists of a case provided with a powder charge and a large number of usually lead balls and that is exploded in flight

2

: bomb, mine, or shell fragments

Examples of shrapnel in a Sentence

He has a piece of shrapnel in his leg.

Shrapnel from the explosion wounded many people.

Recent Examples on the Web

The male victim also sustained shrapnel injuries to his chin and shoulder, and the family’s vehicle sustained significant ballistic damage in the alleged shooting. —Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026

Troops injured in the Kuwait attack suffered from severe shrapnel wounds and head injuries. —Michael Kaplan, CBS News, 27 May 2026

Armonda gently probed the glittering mass, picking out shrapnel. —Martha Raddatz, The Atlantic, 25 May 2026

The woman, aged around 29, had remained at Roj with her daughter, who had been disabled by shrapnel wounds, The Australian newspaper reported. —ABC News, 25 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Henry Shrapnel †1842 English artillery officer

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

shrapnel

noun

shrap·​nel ˈshrap-nᵊl 

plural shrapnel

1

: a shell designed to burst and scatter metal balls with which it is filled along with jagged fragments of the case

2

: metal pieces from an exploded bomb, shell, or mine