noun
bulldozer
BUUL-doh-zuh
Bulldozer (noun) means a heavy tracked vehicle fitted with a large blade at the front, used for clearing or levelling ground. Example: “A bulldozer cleared the site before construction began.”
noun
1
A heavy tracked vehicle fitted with a large blade at the front, used for clearing or levelling ground.
"A bulldozer cleared the site before construction began."
2
An overbearing, forceful person who pushes others aside to get their way.
"She's a total bulldozer in meetings — nobody else gets a word in."
How to use bulldozer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe heavy machine used to clear land, or an overbearing person who steamrolls others.
Common pairings
drive a bulldozer
bulldozer blade
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Word forms
- Plural
- bulldozers
- Third person singular
- bulldozers
- Past tense
- bulldozered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ cleared the site before construction began.
Etymology
Originally coined in 1870s Louisiana for someone who intimidated others by force; the earthmoving machine was later named after that sense, figuratively.
Class of 1870
bulldozer joined the language around 1870.
See the full Class of 1870 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for bulldozer
See all rhymes for bulldozer →Frequently asked questions
What does “bulldozer” mean?
The word “bulldozer” means a heavy tracked vehicle fitted with a large blade at the front, used for clearing or levelling ground. In plain terms, the heavy machine used to clear land, or an overbearing person who steamrolls others.
How do you pronounce “bulldozer”?
“Bulldozer” is pronounced BUUL-doh-zuh (/ˈbʊlˌdoʊzɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bulldozer” in a sentence?
Here is “bulldozer” used in a sentence: “A bulldozer cleared the site before construction began.”
What is another word for “bulldozer”?
Words with a similar meaning to “bulldozer” include blade.
What part of speech is “bulldozer”?
“Bulldozer” is a noun.
Where does the word “bulldozer” come from?
The word “bulldozer” dates back to around 1870. Originally coined in 1870s Louisiana for someone who intimidated others by force; the earthmoving machine was later named after that sense, figuratively.
How many meanings does “bulldozer” have?
“Bulldozer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a heavy tracked vehicle fitted with a large blade at the front, used for clearing or levelling ground.
