shrapnel

noun

shrap·nel ˈshrap-nᵊl

especially Southern ˈsrap-

plural shrapnel

: a projectile that consists of a case provided with a powder charge and a large number of usually lead balls and that is exploded in flight

: bomb, mine, or shell fragments

Examples of shrapnel in a Sentence

He has a piece of shrapnel in his leg. Shrapnel from the explosion wounded many people.

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.

Buildings are scorched, with holes caused by missile shrapnel. —

Joanna Kakissis, NPR, 9 Dec. 2024 There’s no sense in an innocent bystander getting shrapnel on her. —

Lacey Rose, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024 The Tribune could not immediately verify Mitchell had received a Purple Heart, but records provided by the National Archives show he was struck by grenade shrapnel on May 12, 1969, in Quang Tin province. —

Christy Gutowski, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2024 Another person is in moderate condition after they were injured by shrapnel near the commercial center in Ein Hafaretz. —

Alexander Smith, NBC News, 19 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shrapnel