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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 notes

In plain EnglishThe heavy machine used to clear land, or an overbearing person who steamrolls others.

Common pairings
drive a bulldozer bulldozer blade

Word forms

bulldozered past tense, bulldozers plural, bulldozers singular

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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.

· First attested 1870

Class of 1870 bulldozer joined the language around 1870.
See the full Class of 1870 →

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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial