bomb bay

American  

noun

Aeronautics, Military.

1. (in the fuselage of a bomber) the compartment in which bombs are carried and from which they are dropped.

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Etymology

Origin of bomb bay

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Morrison: We had the actors jump out of the bomb bay on stunt lines, and we hit ’em with a load of wind and basically scared the life out of them.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2024

The weapons, too big to fit into the bomb bay, were carried underneath and set spinning before their release.

From BBC • Dec. 8, 2022

After crossing the bomb bay on the catwalk, Hagenbaugh and Nelms stood gripping the seats of the pilot and co-pilot in the cockpit as they looked out at the views from 12,000 feet up.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 23, 2018

The plane was carried aloft in the bomb bay of another aircraft, and once in the air, detached and rocketed to over 40,000 feet.

From New York Times • Oct. 14, 2016

When the pointer touched zero, he closed the bomb bay doors and, over the intercom, at the very top of his voice, shrieked: “Turn right hard!”

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller