Molotov cocktail

noun

1. a crude incendiary grenade consisting of a bottle filled with a flammable liquid and a wick that is ignited before throwing: used originally for setting fire to enemy tanks during the Spanish Civil War.

Molotov cocktail

/ ˈmɒləˌtɒf /

noun

1. an elementary incendiary weapon, usually a bottle of petrol with a short-delay fuse or wick; petrol bomb

Molotov cocktail

1. An incendiary bomb made from a breakable container, such as a bottle, filled with flammable liquid and provided with a rag wick. Used by the Soviets against the invading German armies in World War II, these bombs were nicknamed after V. M. Molotov, a foreign minister of the Soviet Union at that time.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Molotov cocktail¹

First recorded in 1935–40; named after V. M. Molotov

Word History and Origins

Origin of Molotov cocktail¹

C20: named after V. M. _Molotov

Example Sentences

"You either need to pour petrol inside or throw a few Molotov cocktails inside," the account advised.

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Soon, Mariona joined her new friends on "raids": a few of them would block off a street, throw Molotov cocktails, hand out leaflets, and when the police turned up, scatter in every direction.

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The store was attacked with Molotov cocktail attacks as people called for it to be boycotted and for the company's executives to be charged.

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Ecuadorian officials said the convoy - which included UN and EU diplomats - was delivering aid to communities affected by a national strike when ambushed by about 350 people, who attacked it with Molotov cocktails.

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Balmer had admitted to officials that he removed petrol from a lawn mower and poured it into beer bottles to make Molotov cocktails he used in the attack, Pennsylvania State Police said.

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