¹bombard

noun bom·bard \ˈbäm-ˌbärd\

Definition of BOMBARD

: a late medieval cannon used to hurl large stones

Origin of BOMBARD

Middle English bombarde, from Middle French, probably from Latin bombus

First Known Use: 15th century

Other History Terms

agonistic, carpetbagger, enceinte, fief, historiography, paladin

Rhymes with BOMBARD

Asgard, backyard, barnyard, blackguard, blowhard, boatyard, boneyard, brassard, brickyard, charge card, churchyard, cloth yard, coast guard, courtyard, dance card, deeryard, die-hard, diehard, discard, dockyard, dooryard, face card, farmyard, fireguard, flash card, foulard, Fugard, Gerard, graveyard, green card, ill-starred, jacquard, junkyard, lifeguard, main yard, mansard, mass card, Midgard, milliard, mudguard, noseguard, off guard, old guard, on guard, Oxnard, phone card, Picard, placard, point guard, postcard, poularde, punch card, rear guard, rearguard, Red Guard, regard, retard, ritard, safeguard, scorecard, shipyard, smart card, sound card, spikenard, steelyard, stockyard, switchyard, tabard, tanyard, tiltyard, time card, unbarred, unguard, vizard, wild card

²bombard

verb bom·bard \bäm-ˈbärd also bəm-\

: to attack (a place) with bombs, large guns, etc.

: to hit or attack (something or someone) constantly or repeatedly

Full Definition of BOMBARD

transitive verb

: to attack especially with artillery or bombers

: to assail vigorously or persistently (as with questions)

: to subject to the impact of rapidly moving particles (as electrons)

— bom·bard·ment \-mənt\ noun

See bombard defined for English-language learners

See bombard defined for kids

First Known Use of BOMBARD

1686

Related to BOMBARD

Synonyms: batter, blitz, blitzkrieg, bomb, cannonade, shell

Synonym Discussion of BOMBARD

attack, assail, assault, bombard, storm mean to make an onslaught upon. attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle <plan to attack the town at dawn>. assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots <assailed the enemy with artillery fire>. assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught <commandos assaulted the building from all sides>. bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells <bombarded the city nightly>. storm implies attempting to break into a defended position <preparing to storm the fortress>.