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

As a consequence, thousands of rush hour commuters and coastal rail passengers were unaware of the risk as multiple M777 howitzers fired a total of 30 shells over the freeway.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

At 1:46 p.m., an artillery round from an M777 howitzer was launched from White’s Beach northward, according to a CHP incident report obtained by The Times.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

An Associated Press story about 155 mm howitzers describes the artillery weapon as one of the most-requested munitions in the war in Ukraine.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The demonstration was the largest in a decade in the continental US, the Marines said, and involved fighter jets, Navy vessels, helicopters and live fire from a towed howitzer.

Read more on BBC

A few soldiers ran through deep muddy trenches, to a clearing where a howitzer was hidden from sight, covered by branches and leaves.

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