blitz

American  

[blits] / blɪts /

noun

1. Military.

   1. an overwhelming all-out attack, especially a swift ground attack using armored units and air support.

   2. an intensive aerial bombing.

2. any swift, vigorous attack, barrage, or defeat.

   a blitz of commercials every few minutes.

3. Football. act or instance of charging directly for (the passer) as soon as the ball is snapped; red-dogging.

4. bingo.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to attack or defeat with or as if with a blitz.

   The town was blitzed mercilessly by enemy planes. The visitors really blitzed the home team.

2. to destroy; demolish.

   His last-minute refusal blitzed all our plans.

verb (used without object)

1. Football. to charge directly and immediately at the passer; red-dog.

2. to move in the manner of a blitz.

   a car that will blitz through rough terrain.

blitz ¹ British  

/ blɪts /

noun

1. a violent and sustained attack, esp with intensive aerial bombardment

2. any sudden intensive attack or concerted effort

   an advertising blitz

   a drink-driving blitz

3. American football a defensive charge on the quarterback

---

verb

1. (tr) to attack suddenly and intensively

Blitz ² British  

/ blɪts /

noun

1. the systematic night-time bombing of Britain in 1940–41 by the German Luftwaffe

---

Other Word Forms

• blitzer noun

Etymology

Origin of blitz

First recorded in 1935–40; shortening of blitzkrieg

Example Sentences

The naming of the album “Arirang” is supposedly rooted in BTS’ Korean identity, and this heritage branding has been communicated over and over during the group’s comeback media blitz.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

The morning raid in Inverness was one of more than 50 carried out as part of a Scotland-wide blitz on county lines.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

Merz's first official visit to China comes as Berlin and Beijing seek to build on decades-old economic ties to weather global uncertainty sparked by US President Donald Trump's tariff blitz and erratic foreign policies.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

Last year’s blitz of bills, capping off years of gradual legislative efforts to remove regulatory barriers to building dense housing across California, has, in Wicks’ view, teed up this next big swing.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2026

He had expected Carter to blitz and instead the big guard had pulled back and skirted the line, annihilating Jerry from behind.

From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier

Related Words

• assault
• bombardment
• bombing
• offensive
• onslaught
• raid
• shelling