Broken Arrow

¹ American  

[broh-kuhn ar-oh] / ˈbroʊ kən ˈær oʊ /

Or broken arrow

noun

U.S. Military.

1. 1. a nuclear weapon that has been removed from the arsenal by theft, loss, accidental launch or detonation, etc., but has not resulted in harm.

   2. the theft, accidental launch, or other event that causes such a weapon to be removed from the arsenal.

2. a code phrase summoning all military aircraft in the area to the immediate support of ground forces about to be overwhelmed.

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Broken Arrow ² American  

[broh-kuhn ar-oh] / ˈbroʊ kən ˈær oʊ /

noun

1. a town in northeastern Oklahoma.

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Etymology

Origin of Broken Arrow

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

The Rutledge family lives in Broken Arrow, a sunny Tulsa suburb with a frozen custard shop and a dentistry called Super Smiles.

From New York Times • Oct. 11, 2022

Her grieving father joined a church in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 2, 2022

A "Broken Arrow," in this context, does not refer to a damaged street sign, but one of the dozens of occasions since 1950 when there was a dangerous nuclear weapon accident.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2022

“She’s enjoying life as if nothing ever happened,” said Willis, 34, of Broken Arrow, Okla., who said the sight of Graham left him numb.

From Washington Post • Jul. 23, 2021

Dr. Broken Arrow would know about bear livers; she doubted whether the Librarian of Jordan College would.

From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman