bombard

[bom-bahrd, buhm-, bom-bahrd]

verb (used with object)

1. to attack or batter with artillery fire.

2. to attack with bombs.

3. to assail vigorously.

   to bombard the speaker with questions.

   Synonyms: besiege, hound, harass, beset

4. Physics.,  to direct high energy particles or radiations against.

   to bombard a nucleus.

noun

1. the earliest kind of cannon, originally throwing stone balls.

2. Nautical.,  bomb ketch.

3. an English leather tankard of the 18th century and earlier, similar to but larger than a blackjack.

4. Obsolete.,  a leather jug.

bombard

verb

1. to attack with concentrated artillery fire or bombs

2. to attack with vigour and persistence

   the boxer bombarded his opponent with blows to the body

3. to attack verbally, esp with questions

   the journalists bombarded her with questions

4. physics to direct high-energy particles or photons against (atoms, nuclei, etc) esp to produce ions or nuclear transformations

noun

1. an ancient type of cannon that threw stone balls

Other Word Forms

• bombarder noun
• bombardment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bombard¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English (noun), Medieval Latin bombarda “stone-throwing engine” ( Latin bomb(us) “booming noise” + -arda noun suffix); bomb, -ard

Word History and Origins

Origin of bombard¹

C15: from Old French bombarder to pelt, from bombarde stone-throwing cannon, probably from Latin bombus booming sound; see _bomb

Example Sentences

“I did find the big fight really enjoyable and I loved being bombarded with oranges,” Colman says.

From Los Angeles Times

But that did not stop her bombarding him with messages, begging him to respond.

From BBC

She said she quit her flat after Hall would turn up during the night after bombarding her with texts and phone calls.

From BBC

Meanwhile, media overseas have been bombarded with stories of capricious denials and detentions at U.S. border crossings.

From Los Angeles Times

Police and wildlife officials were bombarded for weeks with reports of bears barging into homes in Sierra Madre, smashing windows and slashing screen doors.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• barrage 
• batter 
• besiege 
• blast 
• blitz 
• bomb 
• harass 
• hound 
• open fire 
• pester 
• strafe