salvo
noun
a simultaneous or successive discharge of artillery, bombs, etc.
salvo
1 American
[sal-voh]
/ ˈsæl voʊ /
noun
salvos,
plural
salvoes
plural
-
a simultaneous or successive discharge of artillery, bombs, etc.
-
a round of fire given as a salute.
-
a round of cheers or applause.
salvo
2
American
[sal-voh]
/ ˈsæl voʊ /
noun
Archaic.
salvos
plural
-
an excuse or quibbling evasion.
-
something to save a person's reputation or soothe a person's feelings.
salvo
1
British
/ ˈsælvəʊ /
noun
-
a discharge of fire from weapons in unison, esp on a ceremonial occasion
-
concentrated fire from many weapons, as in a naval battle
-
an outburst, as of applause
salvo
2
British
/ ˈsælvəʊ /
noun
-
an excuse or evasion
-
an expedient to save a reputation or soothe hurt feelings
-
(in legal documents) a saving clause; reservation
Salvo
3
British
/ ˈsælvəʊ /
noun
Etymology
Origin of salvo1
1585–95; earlier salva < Italian ≪ Latin salvē salve 3
Origin of salvo2
1635–45; < Latin salvō, ablative of salvus safe, found in legal phrases
Explanation
A salvo is when troops fire their guns all at the same time. A salvo of shots might signal the beginning of a military battle. Another word for the gunfire kind of salvo is a "volley." Military planners have used salvos as a way to overwhelm an opposing army, including during engagements between battleships and tanks. You can also use salvo in a more figurative way, describing a verbal barrage or attack: "Her direct, almost rude questions were seen as the opening salvo in the battle between the two political candidates."
Vocabulary lists containing salvo
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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.
It was just the opening salvo of a sustained critique that ran through the hearing.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026
After an opening salvo of rap-centric tracks, Swim was moody and sultry, with flowing choreography that underscored its message of persevering in choppy waters.
From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026
Instead, the federal agency redoubled its efforts, with the latest salvo a “letter of impending enforcement” issued Tuesday and accompanied by a statement from U.S.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026
Roi Elba came to the shelter with his dog Gaia to wait out a missile salvo.
From Barron's • Feb. 28, 2026
I hung my head in shame, expecting a salvo of laughter.
From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
