First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1bombard
noun bom·bard \ˈbäm-ˌbärd\
Definition of BOMBARD
: a late medieval cannon used to hurl large stones
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Origin of BOMBARD
Middle English bombarde, from Middle French, probably from Latin bombus
Other History Terms
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
1
: to attack especially with artillery or bombers
2
: to assail vigorously or persistently (as with questions)
3
: 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
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>.
BOMBARDMENT Defined for Kids
bombard
verb bom·bard \bäm-ˈbärd\
bom·bard·edbom·bard·ing
Definition of BOMBARD for Kids
1
: to attack with heavy fire from big guns : shell <bombard a fort>
2
: to hit or attack again and again <We were bombarded by ads.> <Smells he couldn't place bombarded him. — Brian Selznick, Wonderstruck>
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