bombardier

¹

[ bom-ber-deer, -buh- ]

noun

1. Military. the member of a bombing plane crew who operates the bombsight and bomb-release mechanism.
2. History/Historical. artilleryman.

Bombardier

²

[ bom-ber-deer, -buh-, bom-bahr-dyey ]

Trademark, Canadian.

1. a snowmobilelike vehicle driven by an internal-combustion engine, equipped with caterpillar tracks at the rear, steered by skis at the front, and designed for travel over snow.

Bombardier

¹

/ ˌbɒmbəˈdɪə /

noun

1. a snow tractor, typically having caterpillar tracks at the rear and skis at the front

bombardier

²

/ ˌbɒmbəˈdɪə /

noun

1. the member of a bomber aircrew responsible for aiming and releasing the bombs
2. a noncommissioned rank below the rank of sergeant in the Royal Artillery
3. Also calledbombardier beetle any of various small carabid beetles of the genus Brachinus , esp B. crepitans of Europe, which defend themselves by ejecting a jet of volatile fluid

Word History and Origins

Origin of bombardier¹

From Middle French, dating back to 1550–60; bombard, -ier ²

Origin of bombardier²

First recorded in 1945–50; after Canadian inventor and industrialist Armand Bombardier (died 1964), who designed it

Word History and Origins

Origin of bombardier¹

C20: named after J. A. Bombardier , Canadian inventor and manufacturer

Origin of bombardier²

C16: from Old French: one directing a bombard; see bombard

Example Sentences

The navigator also acted as bombardier, releasing the bombs over the target.

From Literature

Most did not finish pilot school and became navigators, bombardiers, mechanics, control tower operators and other support staff — all known today as Tuskegee Airmen.

From New York Times

His bombardier and first real friend in the service, Danny Shapiro, was later shot down on another plane and held as a prisoner of war for a year.

From New York Times

However, 1945 was the last time he flew bombardier for the U.S.

From Fox News

She said prosecutors had proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the affected soldiers had eaten cannabis from the cupcakes, which the bombardier knowingly gave them.

From BBC