shrapnel

noun

shrap·​nel ˈshrap-nᵊl 

 especially Southern  ˈsrap-

plural shrapnel

1

: 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

2

: 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

Fourteen others sustained minor shrapnel injuries, according to MDA. —Amanda Castro peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025

Figgs fired at least three bullets from an assault rifle at Deputy Joe Kill, who was struck with shrapnel near his right collar bone. —Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 18 June 2025

That might be because of the shrapnel and deaths from drug use. —Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 16 May 2025

Insulation, shrapnel and other debris are strewn across the property and roadside. —Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 19 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Henry Shrapnel †1842 English artillery officer

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

shrapnel

noun

shrap·​nel ˈshrap-nᵊl 

plural shrapnel

1

: a shell designed to burst and scatter metal balls with which it is filled along with jagged fragments of the case

2

: metal pieces from an exploded bomb, shell, or mine