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

Main battle tanks and motorized howitzers, fifth generation fighter jets, nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, offensive cyberattack programs, and anti-aircraft missile batteries were of limited use in Afghanistan.

From Time

The convoy included more than 40 tankers and trucks--19 of those were each towing a 122mm howitzer.

From The Daily Beast

It was a decades-old howitzer Burns called a “multi-ton behemoth” and the atomic shell had a range of only ten miles.

From The Daily Beast

McCain said that ISIS held American-made Howitzer cannons had come within range of Erbil, where U.S. personnel reside.

From The Daily Beast

ISIS forces had come so close to Erbil that the city was in range of the Howitzer artillery cannons that ISIS possesses.

From The Daily Beast

These include, among other things, some 1,500 Humvees and 52 Howitzer artillery guns, which have a range of up to 20 miles.

From The Daily Beast

The Turkish trenches are deep and narrow, and only effective weapon for dealing with them is the howitzer.

From Project Gutenberg

The bag was then rammed down upon the powder, and the howitzer pointed.

From Project Gutenberg

"A few discharges from the howitzer might stir them up," suggested Wade.

From Project Gutenberg

"It would not be a bad plan to get up our howitzer, and rig a carriage for it," said Wade.

From Project Gutenberg

An entire company of infantry in wagons, with a mountain howitzer and several rounds of grapeshot, was hastened to their relief.

From Project Gutenberg

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