n.
Pronunciation: ' bäm
Function: noun
Etymology: French bombe, from Italian bomba, probably from Latin bombus deep hollow sound, from Greek bombos, of imitative origin
Date: 1684
1 a : an explosive device fused to detonate under specified conditions b : ATOMIC BOMB also : nuclear weapons in general ― usually used with the
2 : a vessel for compressed gases: as a : a pressure vessel for conducting chemical experiments b : a container for an aerosol (as an insecticide) : SPRAY CAN
3 : a rounded mass of lava exploded from a volcano
4 : a lead-lined container for radioactive material
5 : FAILURE , FLOP <the play was a bomb >
6 British : a large sum of money
7 a British : a great success : HIT b slang : one that is striking or extraordinary ― used with the <their new album is the bomb >
8 a : a long pass in football b : a very long shot (as in basketball) <shooting 3-point bomb s > also : HOME RUN
9 : something unexpected and unpleasant ― often used with drop <dropped a bomb with her resignation>