bullet

noun

bul·​let ˈbu̇-lət 

 also  ˈbə-

often attributive

1

: a round or elongated missile (as of lead) to be fired from a firearm

broadly : cartridge sense a

2

a

: something resembling a bullet (as in curved form)

b

: a large dot placed in printed matter to call attention to a particular passage

3

: a very fast and accurately thrown or hit object (such as a ball or puck)

bulleted

ˈbu̇-lə-təd 

 also  ˈbə-

adjective

Synonyms

• ball
• pellet

Examples of bullet in a Sentence

He was killed by an assassin's bullet.

Bullets were used to separate each item.

The quarterback threw a bullet to the receiver.

Recent Examples on the Web

His father was an alcoholic and had temper issues that led him to fire 200 bullet rounds into their home one night, as Knight and his brothers hid in the house. —Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025

Elder told the outlet those who sought medical attention at UMC had injuries ranging from severe head injuries and lacerated spleens to bullet grazes and multiple broken bones. —Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 5 Jan. 2025

In June 2023, a 6-year-old boy was wounded in the leg by a stray bullet during a shootout between other people. —Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 3 Jan. 2025

Police said a group of people were gathered outside a business when shots were fired and the three victims were struck by bullets. 100. —Andrea Klick, Kansas City Star, 3 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French boulette small ball & boulet missile, diminutives of boule ball — more at bowl

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bullet

• bite the bullet
• bullet point
• bullet train
• dodge a bullet
• dodge the bullet
• magic bullet
• rubber bullet
• silver bullet

Kids Definition

bullet

noun

bul·​let ˈbu̇l-ət 

1

: a usually cone-shaped lead pellet fixed in the front of a firearms cartridge

2

a

: something like a bullet

b

: a large dot used in print to call attention to a particular passage

3

: a very fast and accurately thrown or hit object (as a ball)

bulleted

-ət-əd 

adjective

Etymology

from early French boulette "small ball" and boulet "something thrown or shot," from boule "ball," from Latin bulla "bubble" — related to boil, bowl