1
a
chiefly Midland US : someone or something extraordinary
a buster of a breakfast Harriet B. Stowe
b
: an unusually sturdy child
c
often capitalized : fellow
usually used as a form of address
hey buster, come here
2
chiefly Australia : a sudden violent wind often coming from the south
3
: one that breaks, breaks up, or eliminates something
crime busters
: such as
a
: plow
b
[short for broncobuster] : a person who breaks horses
4
: a bad fall

Examples of buster in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Top 5 … favorite men’s NCAA tournament first-round bracket busters 5. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2025 The big picture: Tensions between the U.S. and its northern neighbors have peaked under the Trump administration, with the president and others — including his billionaire budget buster — mocking the U.S. ally and questioning its sovereignty. Avery Lotz, Axios, 25 Feb. 2025 Clean Up Messes Grab the dust buster and a good all-purpose cleaner and go to town on those crumbs and spills. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2025 Evicted by bull riders, bronc busters, steer wrestlers and barrel racers, the Spurs departed the next morning for the first phase of their rodeo trek. Mike Monroe, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for buster

Word History

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of buster was in 1614

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Cite this Entry

“Buster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buster. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

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