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.

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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

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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

Gardner previously said that more than 100 firefighters used hoses to put a “wet line” around the Balcom fire perimeter, while bulldozers cut away vegetation in its path and aircraft caked the ground with retardant.

From Los Angeles Times

The colorful fire retardant drew Akira’s eye to the front line of the fire, and she saw a group of tiny figures using axes and bulldozers to fight the blaze in the valley.

From Literature

“Coming in with a bulldozer, knocking it down is an outrageous breach of international law.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Weeks before the Makoko demolition, bulldozers levelled dozens of houses in the Oworonshoki neighbourhood on the opposite side of the lagoon.

From Barron's

In Wenzhou, local authorities brought in bulldozers, cranes and heavy machinery earlier this week, and started taking down part of the Yayang Church building, as seen in the video.

From BBC