salvo
noun
a simultaneous or successive discharge of artillery, bombs, etc.
salvo
1 American
[sal-voh]
/ ˈsæl voʊ /
noun
plural
salvos, salvoes-
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.
plural
salvos-
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.
The salvo caused disruptions in air traffic, with flights canceled and long lines for check-in and luggage retrieval at Moscow’s airports.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 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
But Harper's salvo proved to be in vain as Venezuela regained the lead in the ninth inning, punishing a shaky performance from US reliever Garrett Whitlock to clinch victory.
From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026
Iranian state media published a statement Thursday that it attributed to its new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, his first since replacing his father, who was killed in the opening salvo of the war.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026
As the Mary Rose turned, preparing to fire another salvo from her port side, she listed with her starboard side low in the water.
From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler
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.
