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

• bombardment noun
• bombarder 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

Details of the Met Police's discussions about Ms Wandelt were detailed to the court, from initial contact to the press coverage to Mrs McCann being "bombarded" with calls and texts.

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Without this invisible barrier, Earth would be exposed to the same constant stream of charged particles that bombards other planets in our solar system, such as Mars, making life there far more difficult.

Read more on Science Daily

But the case has not changed anything for many women who have lost their babies but were still "bombarded" with pregnancy-related adverts.

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Footage shows thousands of Palestinians making their way to the north of Gaza, which has been heavily bombarded by Israeli forces in recent months.

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He texted the family to say "they are bombarding the party".

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Related Words

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