area bombing

noun

1. aerial bombing in which bombs are dropped over the general area of a target.

Word History and Origins

Origin of area bombing¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

They advocated precision bombing as a more morally defensible way to destroy an enemy’s fighting capability, rather than indiscriminate area bombing with its inevitable civilian death toll.

From Washington Post

Almost half of the 125,000 Bomber Command lost their lives, and their military commanders' policy of large-scale area bombing near the end of the war has long drawn criticism.

From BBC

These included Henry Tizard, who would champion radar, jet engines and the bouncing bomb and Frederick Lindemann, Winston Churchill's scientific advisor during World War Two and the architect of area bombing.

From BBC

Driven by the new Commander in Chief of Bomber Command, Arthur Harris, area bombing became the norm and the first 1,000-bomber raid was launched, against Cologne, on 30 May 1942.

From BBC

The Lancaster’s role was mainly in “area bombing” — mostly night raids that targeted whole areas of Germany’s main industrial cities.

From New York Times