howitzer

[ hou-it-ser ]

/ ˈhaʊ ɪt sər /

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Definition of howitzer

noun Ordnance.

a cannon having a comparatively short barrel, used especially for firing shells at a high angle of elevation, as for reaching a target behind cover or in a trench.

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Origin of howitzer

1685–95; earlier hauwitzer<Dutch houvietser, equivalent to houviets- (<German Haubitze,Middle High German haufnitz<Czech houfnice slingshot) + -er-er¹

Words nearby howitzer

however, however much, howf, howff, how goes it, howitzer, howk, howl, Howland Island, howl down, howler

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use howitzer in a sentence

Main battle tanks and motorized howitzers, fifth generation fighter jets, nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, offensive cyberattack programs, and anti-aircraft missile batteries were of limited use in Afghanistan.
I Was Deeply Involved in War in Afghanistan for More Than a Decade. Here's What We Must Learn|James Stavridis|August 16, 2021|Time
The convoy included more than 40 tankers and trucks--19 of those were each towing a 122mm howitzer.
Thousands of Putin’s Troops Now in Ukraine, Analysts Say|Shane Harris|November 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was a decades-old howitzer Burns called a “multi-ton behemoth” and the atomic shell had a range of only ten miles.
I Saw Nuclear Armageddon Sitting on My Desk|Clive Irving|November 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
McCain said that ISIS held American-made Howitzer cannons had come within range of Erbil, where U.S. personnel reside.
After Underestimating ISIS, Obama Scrambles for Plan to Defeat Them|Josh Rogin|August 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST

ISIS forces had come so close to Erbil that the city was in range of the Howitzer artillery cannons that ISIS possesses.
McCain Calls Obama's 'Pinprick' Iraq Strikes 'Meaningless' and 'Almost Worse Than Nothing'|Josh Rogin|August 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These include, among other things, some 1,500 Humvees and 52 Howitzer artillery guns, which have a range of up to 20 miles.
The ISIS Caliphate’s Frightening First Month|Charlie Winter|July 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Turkish trenches are deep and narrow, and only effective weapon for dealing with them is the howitzer.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
The bag was then rammed down upon the powder, and the howitzer pointed.
Left on Labrador|Charles Asbury Stephens
"A few discharges from the howitzer might stir them up," suggested Wade.
Left on Labrador|Charles Asbury Stephens
"It would not be a bad plan to get up our howitzer, and rig a carriage for it," said Wade.
Left on Labrador|Charles Asbury Stephens
An entire company of infantry in wagons, with a mountain howitzer and several rounds of grapeshot, was hastened to their relief.
The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce|Ambrose Bierce

British Dictionary definitions for howitzer

howitzer

/ (ˈhaʊɪtsə) /

noun

a cannon having a short or medium barrel with a low muzzle velocity and a steep angle of fire

Word Origin for howitzer

C16: from Dutch houwitser, from German Haubitze, from Czech houfnice stone-sling

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

howitzer

Definition of howitzer

Origin of howitzer

Words nearby howitzer

Words related to howitzer

How to use howitzer in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for howitzer

Word Origin for howitzer