howitzer

[ hou-it-ser ]

noun

, Ordnance.

1. a cannon having a comparatively short barrel, used especially for firing shells at a high angle of elevation, as for reaching a target behind cover or in a trench.

howitzer

/ ˈhaʊɪtsə /

noun

1. a cannon having a short or medium barrel with a low muzzle velocity and a steep angle of fire

Word History and Origins

Origin of howitzer¹

1685–95; earlier hauwitzer < Dutch houvietser, equivalent to houviets- (< German Haubitze, Middle High German haufnitz < Czech houfnice slingshot) + -er -er ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of howitzer¹

C16: from Dutch houwitser, from German Haubitze, from Czech houfnice stone-sling

Example Sentences

All crew members rush to an old American M-101 howitzer.

From BBC

Just before the fire, several units of the California National Guard had been on the island for military training exercises that included the firing of howitzer shells and mortar rounds.

From Los Angeles Times

Bringing artillery pieces like howitzers closer to Kharkiv would allow Russian forces to bombard the city more intensely and effectively.

From New York Times

To the layman, a self-propelled howitzer looks like a tank, but it has a bigger, 155mm gun to fire at longer range.

From Salon

Again and again, the Germans would dig in, wait to be attacked, and then mow down their attackers with rifle fire, machine guns, and artillery such as howitzers and cannon.

From Literature

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