bombard

[ verb bom-bahrd, buhm-; noun bom-bahrd ]

verb (used with object)

1. to attack or batter with artillery fire.
2. to attack with bombs.
3. to assail vigorously:

   to bombard the speaker with questions.

   Synonyms: besiege, hound, harass, beset

4. Physics. to direct high energy particles or radiations against:

   to bombard a nucleus.

noun

1. the earliest kind of cannon, originally throwing stone balls.
2. Nautical. bomb ketch.
3. an English leather tankard of the 18th century and earlier, similar to but larger than a blackjack.
4. Obsolete. a leather jug.

bombard

verb

1. to attack with concentrated artillery fire or bombs
2. to attack with vigour and persistence

   the boxer bombarded his opponent with blows to the body

3. to attack verbally, esp with questions

   the journalists bombarded her with questions

4. physics to direct high-energy particles or photons against (atoms, nuclei, etc) esp to produce ions or nuclear transformations

noun

1. an ancient type of cannon that threw stone balls

Derived Forms

• bomˈbardment, noun

Other Words From

• bom·bard·er noun
• bom·bard·ment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bombard¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English (noun), Medieval Latin bombarda “stone-throwing engine” ( Latin bomb(us) “booming noise” + -arda noun suffix); bomb, -ard

Word History and Origins

Origin of bombard¹

C15: from Old French bombarder to pelt, from bombarde stone-throwing cannon, probably from Latin bombus booming sound; see bomb

Example Sentences

That’s almost to be expected in a place like Wisconsin, whose swing-state status caused residents to be bombarded with political messages.

From Los Angeles Times

Mrs Crisp said she had been "bombarded" with calls from Bromley Council about the potential move but added neither of the care home options the authority had suggested were suitable.

From BBC

The man behind the infamous Wonka experience in Glasgow has been put on the sex offenders register after bombarding a woman with explicit pictures.

From BBC

He found the social rules and structure of working life easier to navigate but would often feel "bombarded" and "peopled out" by the end of a long day.

From BBC

Many more bodies are believed to remain under the rubble of bombarded buildings.

From BBC

Related Words

• barrage
• batter
• besiege
• blast
• blitz
• bomb
• harass
• hound
• open fire
• pester
• strafe