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noun

bazooka

buh-ZOO-kuh

Bazooka (noun) means a shoulder-fired weapon that launches rockets, originally developed to destroy tanks. Example: “The soldier shouldered the bazooka and took aim at the tank.”

noun
1
A shoulder-fired weapon that launches rockets, originally developed to destroy tanks.
"The soldier shouldered the bazooka and took aim at the tank."
2
Informally, a very large financial rescue package or show of force meant to end a crisis quickly.
"Analysts called the central bank's huge stimulus plan a "monetary bazooka.""

How to use bazooka

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA rocket-launching weapon, or — used loosely — a huge, decisive intervention meant to solve a big problem fast.

Common pairings
fire a bazooka monetary bazooka reach for the bazooka

Word forms

bazookaed past tense, bazookas plural, bazookas singular

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The soldier shouldered the _____ and took aim at the tank.

Etymology

Named after an earlier slang term for a crude trombone-like instrument, itself from a Dutch word for "trumpet"; the finance sense appeared during the European debt crisis around 2010.

Origin: Dutch · First attested 2010

Class of 2010 bazooka joined the language around 2010.
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Rhymes for bazooka

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Frequently asked questions

What does “bazooka” mean?

The word “bazooka” means a shoulder-fired weapon that launches rockets, originally developed to destroy tanks. In plain terms, a rocket-launching weapon, or — used loosely — a huge, decisive intervention meant to solve a big problem fast.

How do you pronounce “bazooka”?

“Bazooka” is pronounced buh-ZOO-kuh (/bəˈzuːkə/ in IPA).

How do you use “bazooka” in a sentence?

Here is “bazooka” used in a sentence: “The soldier shouldered the bazooka and took aim at the tank.”

What part of speech is “bazooka”?

“Bazooka” is a noun.

Where does the word “bazooka” come from?

The word “bazooka” dates back to around 2010 and comes from Dutch. Named after an earlier slang term for a crude trombone-like instrument, itself from a Dutch word for "trumpet"; the finance sense appeared during the European debt crisis around 2010.

How many meanings does “bazooka” have?

“Bazooka” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a shoulder-fired weapon that launches rockets, originally developed to destroy tanks.

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