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.

---

Broken Arrow ² American  

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

noun

1. a town in northeastern Oklahoma.

---

Etymology

Origin of Broken Arrow

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

“Understandably, this is a shock to Broken Arrow. It’s a safe city. Broken Arrow doesn’t have this kind of situation every day,” Hutchins said.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 27, 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

A run to Broken Arrow, Okla., would earn him $452, while a longer journey to Malvern, Ark., would bring $717.

From New York Times • Dec. 2, 2021

He will do it at the dedication of a new headstone for Lacy’s grave in Broken Arrow, Okla., near Tulsa, where Lacy spent his final years.

From Washington Post • Jul. 21, 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