shrapnel
Americannoun
-
Military.
-
a hollow projectile containing bullets or the like and a bursting charge, designed to explode before reaching the target, and to set free a shower of missiles.
-
such projectiles collectively.
-
-
shell fragments.
noun
-
-
a projectile containing a number of small pellets or bullets exploded before impact
-
such projectiles collectively
-
-
fragments from this or any other type of shell
Etymology
Origin of shrapnel
1800–10; named after Henry Shrapnel (1761–1842), English army officer, its inventor
Explanation
Shrapnel refers to the pieces of a bomb, shell, or bullet that has exploded. During wars, many soldiers are treated for shrapnel wounds. When people are injured or killed by bombs, many of them are hurt by flying shrapnel — sharp, dangerous shards of metal. Shrapnel gets its name from General Henry Shrapnel of the British Army's Royal Artillery, who, during the Peninsular War, invented an exploding shell that broke apart and shattered when it was detonated.
Vocabulary lists containing shrapnel
"There Will Come Soft Rains" by Ray Bradbury
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Code Talker
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Red Queen
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
A Bangladeshi national was killed Wednesday by falling shrapnel from an intercepted drone in the United Arab Emirates.
From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026
In Kuwait, power lines were hit by air defense shrapnel, causing partial electricity outages for several hours.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026
Hadeel Sinzawi, 22, said she has been waiting for a medical evacuation for a year and a half to treat a shrapnel injury she sustained during the war.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 1, 2026
Dr Tarek Zobier, a neurologist in Sudan, said the medical implications of having shrapnel lodged in the head vary from case to case.
From BBC • Jan. 23, 2026
This was a shrapnel shell used by the Austrians in the mountains with a nose-cap which went on after the burst and exploded on contact.
From "A Farewell To Arms" by Ernest Hemingway
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.
