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 company says the system would be able to perform hemorrhage control, wound repair, chest decompression, shrapnel extraction, and field suturing, stabilizing the patient until evacuation can be carried out. —Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office told KTVT-TV that the deputy, who was using a ballistic shield, was hit in the face by shrapnel. —Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026

The deputy who was injured by shrapnel during the exchange was transported to a hospital and later released. —Briauna Brown, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026

Iranian state media says shrapnel from weekend strikes damaged power equipment in Tehran and nearby Karaj city, leading to hours-long blackouts in both places. —Npr Staff, NPR, 30 Mar. 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