car bomb

noun

1. a bomb placed in a vehicle and wired to explode when the ignition is started, by remote control, or by a timing device.
2. a vehicle containing explosives detonated by remote control or a timing device.

Word History and Origins

Origin of car bomb¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

He thought the noise he had heard a few minutes earlier was a car bomb.

From Washington Post

Idris Nassan, a Kurdish official in Kobani, said the first car bomb killed two people.

From The Daily Beast

Furthermore, by removing them from their post, you create an opportunity for insurgent black magic to materialize a car bomb.

From The Daily Beast

This was on July 16, after a car bomb exploded in Sadr City killing at least nine people and wounding dozens.

From The Daily Beast

In February, five refugees were killed when a car bomb went off near the camp.

From The Daily Beast

In the summer, two car bomb attacks on a Hezbollah suburb of Beirut that left dozens dead frayed nerves.

From The Daily Beast