shrapnel
Americannoun
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Military.
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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.
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such projectiles collectively.
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shell fragments.
noun
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a projectile containing a number of small pellets or bullets exploded before impact
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such projectiles collectively
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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
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.
They fought for the liberation of Italy, where Louis was hit by shrapnel and died in early 1944.
Sudan Witness verified footage that showed shrapnel damage to the building.
From BBC
On that day, shrapnel landed on a California Highway Patrol cruiser and motorcycle after an artillery shell exploded in midair prematurely, prompting an investigation from the Marines.
From Los Angeles Times
An unoccupied CHP patrol vehicle was hit by metal shrapnel and was damaged.
From Los Angeles Times
The shrapnel left what was described as a “small dent/scratch” on the vehicle’s hood.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
