bomb

[ bom ]

noun

1. Military. a projectile, formerly usually spherical, filled with a bursting charge and exploded by means of a fuze, by impact, or otherwise, now generally designed to be dropped from an aircraft.
2. any similar missile or explosive device used as a weapon, to disperse crowds, etc.:

   a time bomb;

   a smoke bomb.

3. Also called vol·can·ic bomb [vol-, kan, -ik , bom]. Geology. a rough spherical or ellipsoidal mass of lava, ejected from a volcano and hardened while falling.
4. Meteorology. a weather bomb.
5. aerosol bomb.
6. Football. a long forward pass, especially one to a teammate who scores a touchdown.
7. Slang. an absolute failure; fiasco:

   The play was a bomb and closed after two performances.

   Synonyms: washout, bust, dud, flop

8. Computers. a catastrophic program failure or system failure.
9. the bomb, Slang. something or someone that is excellent or very impressive:

   Her boyfriend is the bomb!

10. Chiefly British Slang. an overwhelming success:

    The novel is selling like a bomb.

11. Jazz. a sudden, unexpected accent or rhythmic figure played by a drummer during a performance.
12. a lead or lead-lined container for transporting and storing radioactive materials.
13. the bomb,
    1. atomic bomb.
    2. nuclear weapons collectively.
14. Slang. a powerful automobile or other vehicle.
15. Slang. something unpleasant that is unexpected or shocking (often used in combination with the first letter of an offensive or unmentionable word, as in f-bomb s-bomb n-bomb ):

    He's always dropping f-bombs.

    Then came the bomb about the staff cuts.

    Synonyms: shocker, surprise, kicker, bombshell

16. Slang. something unauthorized or illegal that is executed in a stealthy manner, typically having an overwhelming or sensational effect (used in combination, as in mail bomb graffiti bomb ).

verb (used with object)

1. to hurl bombs at or drop bombs upon, as from an airplane; bombard:

   The enemy planes bombed the city.

2. to explode by means of a bomb or explosive.
3. to damage, ruin, defeat, etc., as if with bombs.
4. Computers. to deliberately cause (a computer system) to fail with a program written for the purpose.

verb (used without object)

1. to hurl or drop bombs.
2. to explode a bomb or bombs.
3. Slang. to be or make a complete failure, especially to fail to please or gain an audience (sometimes followed by out ):

   His last play bombed on Broadway.

   The business bombed out with a $25,000 debt.

   Synonyms: flop, fail

4. Computers. (of a computer program or system) to fail catastrophically.
5. Slang. to spray-paint graffiti over many surfaces in an area, working quickly and using simple forms and designs:

   He made his reputation bombing on the east side of town.

6. Informal. to move very quickly:

   They came bombing through here on their motorcycles at 2 a.m.

bomb

/ bɒm /

noun

1. 1. a hollow projectile containing an explosive, incendiary, or other destructive substance, esp one carried by aircraft
   2. ( as modifier )

      bomb disposal

      a bomb bay

   3. ( in combination )

      a bombload

      bombproof

2. any container filled with explosive

   a car bomb

   a letter bomb

3. the bomb
   1. a hydrogen or atomic bomb considered as the ultimate destructive weapon
   2. something excellent

      it's the bomb

4. a round or pear-shaped mass of volcanic rock, solidified from molten lava that has been thrown into the air
5. med a container for radioactive material, applied therapeutically to any part of the body

   a cobalt bomb

6. slang.
   a large sum of money (esp in the phrase make a bomb )
7. slang.
   a disastrous failure

   the new play was a total bomb

8. slang.
   an old or dilapidated motorcar
9. American football a very long high pass
10. (in rugby union) another term for up-and-under
11. like a bomb informal.
    with great speed or success; very well (esp in the phrase go like a bomb )

verb

1. to attack with or as if with a bomb or bombs; drop bombs (on)
2. informal.
   intr; often foll by off, along, etc to move or drive very quickly
3. slang.
   intr to fail disastrously; be a flop See also bomb out

   the new play bombed

Other Words From

• bomb·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bomb¹

First recorded in 1580–90; earlier bom(b)e, from Spanish bomba (de fuego) “ball (of fire),” akin to bombo “drum,” from Latin bombus “a booming sound,” from Greek bómbos

Word History and Origins

Origin of bomb¹

C17: from French bombe , from Italian bomba , probably from Latin bombus a booming sound, from Greek bombos , of imitative origin; compare Old Norse bumba drum

Idioms and Phrases

see time bomb .

Example Sentences

Expected to be one of the strongest storms in the northwest US in decades, the bomb cyclone knocked out power and downed trees across the region, on November 20, 2024.

From Salon

The bomb squad was called out after reports of a suspicious package at Scotland's busiest bus station at about 13:10.

From BBC

The two-time Grammy award winner has suffered personal tragedy in recent years, after the 2017 Manchester bombing of her concert and the death of her former partner Mac Miller a year later.

From BBC

But the conditions of an atmospheric river combined with a bomb cyclone can create a major weather event.

From BBC

The Tran campaign thanked county elections workers who “continue to do their essential work in the face of lies, hostility and bomb threats.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• attack
• blast
• blow up
• bombard
• destroy
• raid
• strafe
• wipe out