bombardier

noun

bom·​bar·​dier ˌbäm-bə-ˈdir How to pronounce bombardier (audio)
-bər-
1
a
archaic : artilleryman
b
: a noncommissioned officer in the British artillery
2
: a bomber-crew member who releases the bombs

Examples of bombardier in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Then, in 2013, relatives of the plane’s bombardier, Thomas V. Kelly Jr., started doing some research. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025 In the case of the bombardier beetles, between 35 and 57 percent of the toads threw up within 50 minutes on average, ensuring the survival of the regurgitated beetles. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 10 Sep. 2024 His film debut came in 1964 with a small role in Stanley Kubrick’s Cold War black comedy Dr. Strangelove, playing a bombardier aboard the nuke-dropping airplane. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2024 During raids, American crews of ten—including a pilot, co-pilot, navigator, radio operator, bombardier and gunners—engaged in daylight precision bombing, focusing on strategic targets like German aircraft factories, ball-bearing plants and U-boat pens. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Jan. 2024 See All Example Sentences for bombardier

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French, "one in charge of a bombard," from bombarde bombard entry 1 + -ier -eer

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of bombardier was in 1562

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bombardier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bombardier. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

bombardier

noun
bom·​bar·​dier ˌbäm-bə(r)-ˈdi(ə)r How to pronounce bombardier (audio)
: a bomber-crew member who releases the bombs

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