bombsight

[ bom-sahyt ]

noun

, Military.

1. (in an aircraft) an instrument for aiming bombs at a target, especially a device that can assume complete control of the aircraft during a bombing run, can automatically compensate for speed, winds, etc., and can guide the release of bombs for maximum accuracy in striking the target.

bombsight

/ ˈbɒmˌsaɪt /

noun

1. a mechanical or electronic device in an aircraft for aiming bombs

Word History and Origins

Origin of bombsight¹

First recorded in 1915–20; bomb + sight

Example Sentences

For this week’s cover story on the Georgetown arts collective Equinox Studios, I got sucked in by Norden bombsights.

From Seattle Times

As a bomber, of course, it also contained bombing gear and bombsights, and all of this needed maintenance and loading.

From Literature

Although early raids proved that the Japanese homeland could be reached, they failed to hit their targets as problems persisted with the Norden bombsight.

From Washington Post

Nazi spies kidnap an aircraft mechanic and try to make him talk about a new bombsight.

From Los Angeles Times

One thing is, however, guaranteed: some poor souls will be at the other end of those bombsights and rifle barrels.

From Salon