tracer bullet

American  

noun

1. a bullet containing a tracer.

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tracer bullet British  

noun

1. a round of small arms ammunition containing a tracer

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Etymology

Origin of tracer bullet

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Overnight, AFP journalists saw Ukraine using tracer bullets and missile defence systems, and incandescent debris falling over large areas above the capital.

From Barron's

The actors could watch “tracer bullets” whiz past and see explosions in midair and the eyelines would all be correct.

From Los Angeles Times

One of the workers saw tracer bullets fired across the night sky from the roof of one of the plant's buildings, probably at a drone.

From Reuters

Every tracer bullet I saw was hitting something.

From Seattle Times

One night, for entertainment, the Frelimo soldiers set off flares and fired tracer bullets into the sky.

From Literature