noun
Uncommon
bunker
BUHNG-kuh
Bunker (noun) means a reinforced underground shelter built to withstand bombing or attack. Example: “The soldiers took cover in an underground bunker.”
noun
1
A reinforced underground shelter built to withstand bombing or attack.
"The soldiers took cover in an underground bunker."
"The old concrete bunker beneath the hill is now a small museum."
"Families once crowded into the bunker whenever the air raid sirens sounded."
2
In golf, a sand-filled hollow serving as a hazard on the course.
"His ball landed in the greenside bunker."
"It took him three shots to escape the deep bunker beside the green."
"The groundsman raked the sand in every bunker before the tournament began."
verb
1
To hit a golf ball into a bunker, or to load a ship with fuel.
"He bunkered his tee shot on the 9th hole."
"She bunkered her approach shot and groaned as the ball dropped into the sand."
"The tanker docked so the crew could bunker before the long voyage."
How to use bunker
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn underground shelter built to survive attacks, or a sand trap on a golf course.
Common pairings
underground bunker
in the bunker
bunker fuel
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Word forms
- Plural
- bunkers
- Third person singular
- bunkers
- Past tense
- bunkered
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Can you complete this real example?
The soldiers took cover in an underground _____.
Etymology
The earliest sense referred to a chest or box used as a seat, from Scots bunker, ultimately from Old Norse bunki ("a heap"); the "bomb shelter" sense was borrowed from German Bunker during World War II.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for bunker
See all rhymes for bunker →Frequently asked questions
What does “bunker” mean?
The word “bunker” means a reinforced underground shelter built to withstand bombing or attack. In plain terms, an underground shelter built to survive attacks, or a sand trap on a golf course.
How do you pronounce “bunker”?
“Bunker” is pronounced BUHNG-kuh (/ˈbʌŋ.kɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bunker” in a sentence?
Here is “bunker” used in a sentence: “The soldiers took cover in an underground bunker.”
What part of speech is “bunker”?
Depending on how it is used, “bunker” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “bunker” come from?
The word “bunker” comes from Old Norse. The earliest sense referred to a chest or box used as a seat, from Scots bunker, ultimately from Old Norse bunki ("a heap"); the "bomb shelter" sense was borrowed from German Bunker during World War II.
Is “bunker” a common word?
“Bunker” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “bunker” have?
“Bunker” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a reinforced underground shelter built to withstand bombing or attack.
What is the difference between a bunker and a trench?
A bunker is a reinforced underground shelter built to withstand bombing or attack, while a trench is a long, narrow ditch dug at ground level for cover and movement. Bunkers are typically enclosed structures offering more substantial protection.
What is a bunker in golf?
In golf, a bunker is a sand-filled hollow that serves as a hazard on the course, and hitting a ball into one is described using the verb "to bunker."
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