bombard

[bom-bahrd, buhm-, bom-bahrd]

verb (used with object)

1. to attack or batter with artillery fire.

2. to attack with bombs.

3. to assail vigorously.

   to bombard the speaker with questions.

   Synonyms: besiege, hound, harass, beset

4. Physics.,  to direct high energy particles or radiations against.

   to bombard a nucleus.

noun

1. the earliest kind of cannon, originally throwing stone balls.

2. Nautical.,  bomb ketch.

3. an English leather tankard of the 18th century and earlier, similar to but larger than a blackjack.

4. Obsolete.,  a leather jug.

bombard

verb

1. to attack with concentrated artillery fire or bombs

2. to attack with vigour and persistence

   the boxer bombarded his opponent with blows to the body

3. to attack verbally, esp with questions

   the journalists bombarded her with questions

4. physics to direct high-energy particles or photons against (atoms, nuclei, etc) esp to produce ions or nuclear transformations

noun

1. an ancient type of cannon that threw stone balls

Other Word Forms

• bombarder noun
• bombardment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bombard¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English (noun), Medieval Latin bombarda “stone-throwing engine” ( Latin bomb(us) “booming noise” + -arda noun suffix); bomb, -ard

Word History and Origins

Origin of bombard¹

C15: from Old French bombarder to pelt, from bombarde stone-throwing cannon, probably from Latin bombus booming sound; see _bomb

Example Sentences

The show, in its pre-digital days, was regularly bombarded with mail, fan letters, complaints, and sketch and job pitches, scribbled on everything from scratch pads to toilet paper.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Instead, we are bombarded with a parade of faces, whether it is the pitcher, the batter or a woman applying lipstick.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As a result, Californians — millions of whom have already voted — have been getting bombarded by messages both for and against Proposition 50, many of which are hyper-focused on the uncertain implications for American democracy.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Those trapped inside were bombarded by a barrage of deadly artillery and air strikes as the army and the paramilitaries battled for el-Fasher.

Read more on BBC

Last year, police and firefighters said they were "bombarded" by missiles and fireworks in incidents reported across the country.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• barrage 
• batter 
• besiege 
• blast 
• blitz 
• bomb 
• harass 
• hound 
• open fire 
• pester 
• strafe