bulldozer

American  

[bool-doh-zer] / ˈbʊlˌdoʊ zər /

noun

1. a large, powerful tractor having a vertical blade at the front end for moving earth, tree stumps, rocks, etc.

2. a person who intimidates or coerces.

---

bulldozer British  

/ ˈbʊlˌdəʊzə /

noun

1. a powerful tractor fitted with caterpillar tracks and a blade at the front, used for moving earth, rocks, etc

2. informal a person who bulldozes

---

Usage

What does bulldozer mean? A bulldozer is a large tractor that has a big, blade-like shovel at the front and moves around using metal tracks over wheels.A bulldozer is a kind of earthmover—they are typically used to move earth and clear debris from an area. They are sometimes called dozers for short.Less commonly, bulldozer can also mean a person who intentionally tries to intimidate others. In fact, this was its original use, first recorded in the 1870s.The verb bulldoze comes from around the same time. Today, bulldoze typically means to use a bulldozer, such as to move dirt or clear an area, or, more figuratively, to move forward or advance in an aggressive or forceful way.However, bulldoze originally meant to intimidate, such as with threats of violence. Early records of this use refer to violent attacks, especially whipping, against African Americans by white people in the Southern United States. However, the origin of these words, and how bulldozer came to be a name for a type of tractor, is ultimately unclear.

Etymology

Origin of bulldozer

1875–80, 1925–30 in the sense “tractor”; origin uncertain. See bulldoze ( def. )

Example Sentences

“Over the last eight to 10 years or so the Legislature and the governor have really taken a bulldozer to a lot of the bureaucratic hurdles when it comes to housing,” said Wicks.

From Los Angeles Times

At the Greenland School of Minerals and Petroleum, a dozen students in hi-viz vests and helmets are out for the day learning to operate bulldozers, dump trucks, excavators and other equipment.

From Barron's

So far, they’ve been a bulldozer, more than a little absurd.

From The Wall Street Journal

The parents headed to the far side of the lot, and Claire and her brother found the hill of dirt the bulldozer had made.

From Literature

The only things keeping him going were Nicole, who had to be more exhausted than he was, and Rashawn, who had turned out to be a bulldozer of will and endurance.

From Literature