penetrator

American

[pen-i-trayt-er] / ˈpɛn ɪˌtreɪt ər /

noun

a person or thing that penetrates, especially one that penetrates the defenses of an adversary, such as a military weapon or a player on a team.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

penetrators

plural

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.

You cannot algorithmically reduce the amount of tungsten in a penetrator round.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

Wheeler isn’t the perimeter threat Brooks is — Wheeler is shooting just 27% on 3-pointers — but he’s much more active as a penetrator.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 2, 2024

Air Force bomber and massive ordnance penetrator: Screen grab from YouTube.

From New York Times • Sep. 4, 2019

Wilkins would slot in next to fellow Clemson product Grady Jarrett inside as a disruptive penetrator with terrific character.

From Reuters • Apr. 20, 2019

Downward, in spite of the utmost possible effort of every projector and penetrator, and the two Terrestrial spectators, sick at heart, looked once at each other.

From Triplanetary by Smith, E. E. (Edward Elmer)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023