Bhopal
Bhopal (noun) means used generically to refer to a catastrophic industrial accident, after the 1984 gas leak disaster in Bhopal, India, that killed thousands. Example: “Safety inspectors warned that ignoring the leak could lead to "another Bhopal.”
How to use Bhopal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA place name used as shorthand for a major industrial disaster.
Word forms
Bhopals plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Safety inspectors warned that ignoring the leak could lead to "another _____."
Etymology
From the city of Bhopal, India, site of the 1984 Union Carbide gas leak — one of the worst industrial disasters in history.
Rhymes for Bhopal
See all rhymes for Bhopal →Frequently asked questions
What does “Bhopal” mean?
The word “Bhopal” means used generically to refer to a catastrophic industrial accident, after the 1984 gas leak disaster in Bhopal, India, that killed thousands. In plain terms, a place name used as shorthand for a major industrial disaster.
How do you pronounce “Bhopal”?
“Bhopal” is pronounced boh-PAHL (/bəʊˈpɑːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “Bhopal” in a sentence?
Here is “Bhopal” used in a sentence: “Safety inspectors warned that ignoring the leak could lead to "another Bhopal.".”
What part of speech is “Bhopal”?
“Bhopal” is a noun.
Where does the word “Bhopal” come from?
The word “Bhopal” dates back to around 1984. From the city of Bhopal, India, site of the 1984 Union Carbide gas leak — one of the worst industrial disasters in history.