blockbuster

American  

[blok-buhs-ter] / ˈblɒkˌbʌs tər /

noun

1. an aerial bomb containing high explosives and weighing from four to eight tons, used as a large-scale demolition bomb.

2. a motion picture, novel, etc., especially one lavishly produced, that has or is expected to have wide popular appeal or financial success.

3. something or someone that is forcefully or overwhelmingly impressive, effective, or influential.

   The campaign was a blockbuster.

4. a real-estate speculator who practices blockbusting.

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blockbuster British  

/ ˈblɒkˌbʌstə /

noun

1. a large bomb used to demolish extensive areas or strengthened targets

2. a very successful, effective, or forceful person, thing, etc

3. a lavish film, show, novel, etc, that proves to be an outstanding popular success

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Etymology

Origin of blockbuster

First recorded in 1940–45; block + buster

Example Sentences

There’s no more that needs to be added, but the modern blockbuster demands crowd service.

From Salon

Another could be a spate of acquisitions in the sector External link, while a third reason could be the promise of more blockbuster weight-loss drugs.

From Barron's

The researchers looked at 37 studies with over 9,000 patients to compare the blockbuster weight-loss jabs with conventional dieting or other pills.

From BBC

Attractions could be startling, scary, even terrifying—whatever it took for customers to feel more like participants in blockbuster movies than observers of the filmmaking process.

From The Wall Street Journal

Next year’s potential slate of IPOs, which could include blockbuster listings from SpaceX, OpenAI and Anthropic, could ease the pain and give investors more firepower to fund AI investments.

From The Wall Street Journal