blitz

American  

[blits] / blɪts /

noun

1. Military.

   1. an overwhelming all-out attack, especially a swift ground attack using armored units and air support.

   2. an intensive aerial bombing.

2. any swift, vigorous attack, barrage, or defeat.

   a blitz of commercials every few minutes.

3. Football. act or instance of charging directly for (the passer) as soon as the ball is snapped; red-dogging.

4. bingo.

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verb (used with object)

1. to attack or defeat with or as if with a blitz.

   The town was blitzed mercilessly by enemy planes. The visitors really blitzed the home team.

2. to destroy; demolish.

   His last-minute refusal blitzed all our plans.

verb (used without object)

1. Football. to charge directly and immediately at the passer; red-dog.

2. to move in the manner of a blitz.

   a car that will blitz through rough terrain.

blitz ¹ British  

/ blɪts /

noun

1. a violent and sustained attack, esp with intensive aerial bombardment

2. any sudden intensive attack or concerted effort

   an advertising blitz

   a drink-driving blitz

3. American football a defensive charge on the quarterback

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verb

1. (tr) to attack suddenly and intensively

Blitz ² British  

/ blɪts /

noun

1. the systematic night-time bombing of Britain in 1940–41 by the German Luftwaffe

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Other Word Forms

• blitzer noun

Etymology

Origin of blitz

First recorded in 1935–40; shortening of blitzkrieg

Explanation

A sudden, overwhelming military attack during war is a blitz. Sometimes a major blitz can lead to the end of a conflict. The idea of a blitz is that it either overpowers or completely surprises the enemy, and it often involves bombing from overhead. The military use of blitz has migrated to sports as well, especially in American football when the defense bursts through the offense or rushes the passer. Any kind of unexpected attack, in fact, has come to be known as a blitz. The word comes from the German Blitzkrieg, "rapid attack."

Example Sentences

But with a drop in demand in China, followed by the US tariffs blitz, the last two years have been tough for the sector.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

Nottingham is one of a small number of crown courts running "blitz" hearings, where dozens of cases are pushed through in a day, with the aim of tackling massive court backlogs.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

The naming of the album “Arirang” is supposedly rooted in BTS’ Korean identity, and this heritage branding has been communicated over and over during the group’s comeback media blitz.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

Nvidia, which agreed in September to provide OpenAI with a blitz of its all-powerful computing chips, stated this month that it would likely not go forward with those plans.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

When we were little, we’d ask, “Why do people go to the bathroom?” or “Why do you need a job?” and then blitz them with follow-ups.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Related Words

• assault
• bombardment
• bombing
• offensive
• onslaught
• raid
• shelling