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howitzer

American  
[hau-it-ser] / ˈhaʊ ɪt sər /

noun

Ordnance.
  1. 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.


howitzer British  
/ ˈhaʊɪtsə /

noun

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

"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

Etymology

Origin of howitzer

1685–95; earlier hauwitzer < Dutch houvietser, equivalent to houviets- (< German Haubitze, Middle High German haufnitz < Czech houfnice slingshot) + -er -er 1


Vocabulary lists containing howitzer

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

From the howitzer of opener “Battery” through the white-knuckle turns of “Creeping Death,” they knew they were still playing to the faithful, albeit in a whole new sort of arena.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 4, 2026

That’s a testament to his development since 2024, when Maiava arrived at USC with a howitzer arm but little polish to his game as a passer.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026

The group makes combat vehicles, ammunition, missile launchers and artillery systems, including the M777 howitzer that Ukraine has employed widely in its fight against Russia.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

European nations have supplied Ukraine with 11 different types of howitzer firing one caliber, the 155mm shell.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 18, 2026

Also, each alligator had three machine guns and a seventy-five-millimeter howitzer.

From "Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two" by Joseph Bruchac

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