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depth charge
noun
: an antisubmarine weapon that consists essentially of a drum filled with explosives which is dropped near a target and descends to a predetermined depth where it explodes
called also depth bomb
Examples of depth charge in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Curtiss’ 5-inch guns fired on it, and a passing destroyer took it out with depth charges.
—Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024
Most also carry lightweight weapons, such as depth charges and torpedoes, but generally other platforms are used to attack submarines.
—Reuters, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
Faster is vital, because in their watery graves, the many land and naval mines, U-boat torpedoes, depth charges, artillery shells, chemical weapons, aerial bombs, and incendiary devices have corroded over almost 80 years.
—Paul Hockenos, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Sep. 2024
For instance, Russia fields a substantial number of naval nuclear weapons, including antiship cruise missiles, nuclear torpedoes, and nuclear depth charges.
—Elbridge Colby, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2018
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Word History
First Known Use
1916, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near depth charge
Cite this Entry
“Depth charge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depth%20charge. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
depth charge
noun
: an explosive device for underwater use especially against submarines that is designed to detonate at a predetermined depth
More from Merriam-Webster on depth charge
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about depth charge
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