verb
bulldoze
BUUL-dohz
Bulldoze (verb) means to flatten or clear something using a bulldozer. Example: “The old cinema was bulldozed to make way for flats.”
verb
1
To flatten or clear something using a bulldozer.
"The old cinema was bulldozed to make way for flats."
2
To force something through aggressively, ignoring objections.
"He bulldozed the proposal through the committee without proper debate."
How to use bulldoze
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo knock down with heavy machinery, or figuratively to push something through by force.
Common pairings
bulldoze a building
bulldoze through opposition
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- bulldozes
- Past tense
- bulldozed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old cinema was _____ to make way for flats.
Etymology
From an earlier noun "bulldose," literally "a dose fit for a bull" — meaning a heavy, forceful blow — later reapplied to the machine.
Rhymes for bulldoze
See all rhymes for bulldoze →Frequently asked questions
What does “bulldoze” mean?
The word “bulldoze” means to flatten or clear something using a bulldozer. In plain terms, to knock down with heavy machinery, or figuratively to push something through by force.
How do you pronounce “bulldoze”?
“Bulldoze” is pronounced BUUL-dohz (/ˈbʊldoʊz/ in IPA).
How do you use “bulldoze” in a sentence?
Here is “bulldoze” used in a sentence: “The old cinema was bulldozed to make way for flats.”
What part of speech is “bulldoze”?
“Bulldoze” is a verb.
How many meanings does “bulldoze” have?
“Bulldoze” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to flatten or clear something using a bulldozer.
