bombardier

noun

bom·​bar·​dier ˌbäm-bə-ˈdir How to pronounce bombardier (audio)
-bər-
1
a
archaic : artilleryman
b
: a noncommissioned officer in the British artillery
2
: a bomber-crew member who releases the bombs

Examples of bombardier in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Three crew members — the bombardier, navigator and gunner — parachuted to safety and wound up in a German prisoner of war camp. Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025 Kelly, the bombardier, was expected to be buried in Livermore, Calif., on Monday, May 26. David Chiu, People.com, 26 May 2025 Additionally, the remains of bombardier Lt. Tom Kelly were identified and soon will be handed over to his family. Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025 Then, in 2013, relatives of the plane’s bombardier, Thomas V. Kelly Jr., started doing some research. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bombardier

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French, "one in charge of a bombard," from bombarde bombard entry 1 + -ier -eer

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of bombardier was in 1562

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bombardier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bombardier. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

bombardier

noun
bom·​bar·​dier ˌbäm-bə(r)-ˈdi(ə)r How to pronounce bombardier (audio)
: a bomber-crew member who releases the bombs

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