bomber
BO-muh
Bomber (noun) means a military aircraft designed to drop bombs. Example: “The bomber flew over the target at high altitude.”
noun
1
A military aircraft designed to drop bombs.
"As many as 100,000 Japanese people were killed and another million injured, most of them civilians, when more than 300 American B-29 bombers dropped 1,500 tons of firebombs on the Japanese capital that night."
— Brad Lendon and Emiko Jozuka, History’s deadliest air raid happened in Tokyo during World War II and you’ve probably never heard of it (2020)
"The bomber flew over the target at high altitude."
2
A person who plants or detonates a bomb.
"Police tracked down the bomber within days."
How to use bomber
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the aircraft built to drop bombs, or a person responsible for a bombing.
Common pairings
bomber jacket
bomber plane
suicide bomber
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more bomber
- Superlative
- most bomber
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ flew over the target at high altitude.
Etymology
This is a shortened form of bombproof.
Related words
Rhymes for bomber
See all rhymes for bomber →Frequently asked questions
What does “bomber” mean?
The word “bomber” means a military aircraft designed to drop bombs. In plain terms, either the aircraft built to drop bombs, or a person responsible for a bombing.
How do you pronounce “bomber”?
“Bomber” is pronounced BO-muh (/ˈbɑmɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bomber” in a sentence?
Here is “bomber” used in a sentence: “The bomber flew over the target at high altitude.”
What part of speech is “bomber”?
“Bomber” is a noun.
Is “bomber” a common word?
“Bomber” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “bomber” have?
“Bomber” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a military aircraft designed to drop bombs.
What is the difference between a "bomber" and a "fighter" aircraft?
A "bomber" is a military aircraft built to carry and drop bombs on targets on the ground or at sea, while a "fighter" is designed for speed and combat against other aircraft in the air. Bombers focus on payload; fighters focus on agility and air-to-air fighting.
What is a "bomber jacket"?
A "bomber jacket" is a short, fitted jacket with a zip front and elasticated waist and cuffs. The style takes its name from the flight jackets originally worn by military aircraft crews.
What is a "stealth bomber"?
A "stealth bomber" is a bomber designed to avoid detection by radar while carrying out its missions. Its special shape and materials reduce the signals it reflects, making it harder to track.
How is the word "bomber" formed?
"Bomber" is built from the verb "bomb" plus the suffix "-er," which turns a verb into a noun for the person or thing that carries out the action. So a bomber is something or someone that bombs.
