noun

napalm

NAY-pahm

Napalm (noun) means a thick, flammable jelly-like substance that clings to what it burns, used as a weapon. Example: “The film showed the devastating effects of napalm on the jungle.”

noun

A thick, flammable jelly-like substance that clings to what it burns, used as a weapon.

"The film showed the devastating effects of napalm on the jungle."

"Napalm was widely used in aerial bombing during the war."

verb

To attack or destroy with napalm.

"The village was napalmed during the offensive."

How to use napalm

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA sticky, burning chemical weapon used in warfare.

Common pairings

napalm strike drop napalm

Word forms

napalmed past tense, napalms plural, napalms singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “napalm” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The film showed the devastating effects of _____ on the jungle.

Etymology

A blend of "na(phthenic)" and "palm(itic)" acid — the two chemicals originally used to thicken the gasoline into a sticky gel.

Frequently asked questions

What does “napalm” mean?

The word “napalm” means a thick, flammable jelly-like substance that clings to what it burns, used as a weapon. In plain terms, a sticky, burning chemical weapon used in warfare.

How do you pronounce “napalm”?

“Napalm” is pronounced NAY-pahm (/ˈneɪ.pɑːm/ in IPA).

How do you use “napalm” in a sentence?

Here is “napalm” used in a sentence: “The film showed the devastating effects of napalm on the jungle.”

What part of speech is “napalm”?

Depending on how it is used, “napalm” can be a noun and a verb.

How many meanings does “napalm” have?

“Napalm” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a thick, flammable jelly-like substance that clings to what it burns, used as a weapon.