bazooka

[ buh-zoo-kuh ]

noun

, Military.

1. a tube-shaped, portable rocket launcher that fires a rocket capable of penetrating several inches of armor plate, as of a tank or other armored military vehicle.

bazooka

/ bəˈzuːkə /

noun

1. a portable tubular rocket-launcher that fires a projectile capable of piercing armour: used by infantrymen as a short-range antitank weapon

Word History and Origins

Origin of bazooka¹

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35; from its resemblance to a musical instrument so named, invented and played by comedian Bob Burns in the 1930s and 1940s

Word History and Origins

Origin of bazooka¹

C20: named after a pipe instrument invented by Bob Burns (1896–1956), American comedian

Example Sentences

Once he hits eight, we can head on over to Bullets & Burgers, and who knows, maybe they'll let him strap on a bazooka.

From The Daily Beast

With literal fidelity, the band members perform with an AK-47 and a bazooka strapped onto their shoulders.

From The Daily Beast

A WWII re-enactor is brought into the hospital when a homemade bazooka backfires and leaves an unexploded grenade in his abdomen.

From The Daily Beast

If they were, then we could all run out and purchase a tank, a grenade launcher, a bazooka, a SCUD missile and a nuclear warhead.

From The Daily Beast

But with that noble exception, the foreign-policy establishment of the town went bazooka.

From The Daily Beast

The bazooka-shells, like small rocket-missiles, sped through the short distance.

From Project Gutenberg

It was the eighth missile from the bazooka which ended the battle.

From Project Gutenberg

The cab started with a cough and a roar, and shot out of the terminal like a bazooka shell.

From Project Gutenberg

"Bazooka shells ought to discourage anything," Davis said in an icy voice.

From Project Gutenberg

Simultaneously, the bazooka-missiles hit their target and flung living, incandescent flame deep into the creature's body.

From Project Gutenberg

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