bunker buster

American  

[buhng-ker buhs-ter] / ˈbʌŋ kər ˌbʌs tər /

Or bunker-buster

noun

1. a laser-guided bomb designed to penetrate deep underground, as into rock or concrete, before detonating.

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Etymology

Origin of bunker buster

First recorded in 1930–35 in the sense of a golfer; current sense dates from 1945–50

Example Sentences

Debris “from bunker buster munitions can be seen around both sets of tunnel entrances,” Lair said in a social-media post.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

Only the US was considered to have a "bunker buster" bomb strong and large enough to destroy Fordo.

From BBC • Jun. 21, 2025

These bombers can carry the 30,000-pound GBU-57 “Massive Ordnance Penetrator” bunker buster, a weapon experts say is uniquely designed to penetrate underground nuclear facilities like Iran’s Fordow site.

From Salon • Jun. 21, 2025

BLU-109 bunker buster lay on its side, scorched but intact — a dud.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 20, 2022

That appeared to be a reference to a bunker buster bomb, the “Massive Ordnance Penetrator.”

From Time • Jul. 23, 2015