cluster bomb

noun

: a canister of small individual bombs that is dropped from an aircraft

Examples of cluster bomb in a Sentence

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.
Prospectors – Spawns three powerful cluster bombs on detonation which do larger damage per shot in a much larger area. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024 In an air campaign highly dependent on U.S. support, Saudi Arabia has dropped cluster bombs and other devastating munitions on Yemeni civilian populations, including schools and medical clinics. Victor Gaetan, Foreign Affairs, 2 June 2017 But the metal object was in fact an unexploded cluster bomb, according to Hamawy, who said that after opening it in front of his family, the child lost his left arm, both his legs, and three fingers on his right arm. Sahar Akbarzai, CNN, 26 July 2024 In the last few decades, international law has been able to rein in abuses that come with new military technologies, from chemical and biological weapons to landmines, blinding laser weapons, and cluster bombs. Denise Garcia, Foreign Affairs, 10 May 2014 See all Example Sentences for cluster bomb 

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cluster bomb was in 1939

Dictionary Entries Near cluster bomb

Cite this Entry

“Cluster bomb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cluster%20bomb. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on cluster bomb

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!