cannonade

American  

[kan-uh-neyd] / ˌkæn əˈneɪd /

noun

1. a continued discharge of cannon, especially during an attack.

2. an attack, as of invective or censure, suggestive of cannon fire; barrage.

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verb (used with object)

cannonaded, cannonading

1. to attack continuously with or as if with cannon

verb (used without object)

cannonaded, cannonading

1. to discharge like continuous cannon fire.

cannonade British  

/ ˌkænəˈneɪd /

noun

1. an intense and continuous artillery bombardment

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verb

1. to attack (a target) with cannon

Etymology

Origin of cannonade

1645–55; < French canonnade < Italian cannonata, equivalent to cannon ( e ) cannon + -ata -ade ¹

Example Sentences

But “Structures for Life” brings a cannonade of color to Queens, and it’s one of two opportunities to rediscover Saint Phalle in New York right now.

From New York Times • Apr. 8, 2021

Last fall, I wrote it was unlikely that any previous California governor had faced such a simultaneous cannonade of calamities.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 27, 2020

But Americans chose to cannonade each other with pamphlets, not artillery.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 2, 2018

Before walking in, Charlotte gave a wee royal hand wave to the cannonade of cameras.

From Washington Post • Apr. 23, 2018

A boom of thunder as loud as a cannonade shook the bridge.

From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George