Definition of "bomb"

(especially) one dropped from an aircraft.  quotations

1. (dated, often with the) The atomic bomb.  examples

2. (figurative) Events or conditions that have a speedy destructive effect.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • If Alberta’s reserves are a carbon bomb, this global expansion of tar sands and oil shale exploitation amounts to an escalating emissions arms race, the unlocking of a subterranean cache of weapons of mass ecological destruction.

     2014 April 25, Martin Lukacs, “Canada becoming launch-pad of a global tar sands and oil shale frenzy”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 190, number 20, page 13

   • "The hard Brexiteers have built a bomb under the UK automotive industry and the EU have lit it," they said.

     2018 June 6, “Brexit: EU advises businesses not to use British components because of Theresa May's plan to leave customs union”, in The Guardian

3. (archaic) A mortar shell.  quotations

   Quotations

   • And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air / Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there

     1814, “The Star-Spangled Banner”, Francis Scott Key (lyrics), John Stafford Smith (music)

4. (historical, archaic) Ellipsis of bomb ship.

5. (colloquial) Any explosive charge.  examples

(slang) A failure; an unpopular commercial product.  quotations

(US, Australia, informal) A car in poor condition.  quotations  examples

(UK, Australia, slang) A large amount of money.  quotations

(social) Something highly effective or attractive.

1. (chiefly Britain, slang) A success; the bomb.

2. (chiefly Britain, India, slang) A very attractive woman.

3. (often in combination) An action or statement that causes a strong reaction.

   1. An obscene word identified by its first letter.  examples

4. (American football, slang) A long forward pass.

5. (rugby, soccer, slang) A high kick that sends the ball relatively straight up so players can get under it before it comes down.

6. (basketball, slang) A throw into the basket from a considerable distance.  quotations

   Quotations

   • With five seconds remaining, Smith received the inbounds pass and launched a bomb that dropped through the net to give his team an 80-79 victory.

     2013, Brett L. Abrams, Raphael Mazzone, The Bullets, the Wizards, and Washington, DC, Basketball, page 163

A cyclone whose central pressure drops at an average rate of at least one millibar per hour for at least 24 hours.  quotations  examples

(chemistry) A heavy-walled container designed to permit chemical reactions under high pressure.  quotations  examples

(obsolete) A great booming noise; a hollow sound.  quotations

(slang) A woman’s breast.

(professional wrestling) A professional wrestling throw in which an opponent is lifted and then slammed back-first down to the mat.  examples

(slang) A recreational drug ground up, wrapped, and swallowed.

(colloquial) An act of jumping into water while keeping one's arms and legs tucked into the body, as in a squatting position, to maximize splashing.  quotations  examples

(transitive, intransitive) To attack using one or more bombs; to bombard.  quotations

1. (transitive, figuratively, often with with) To attack or annoy in the manner of a bombing.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • School days have been missed or cut short many times to accommodate soccer travel through the years, but this return felt different. Photos posted on his social media documenting the experience were seen by classmates, many of whom bombed him with questions about his future in the sport.

     2022 May 7, Ray Brewer, “Henderson native takes another step toward his soccer dreams with spot on Lights' roster”, in Las Vegas Sun‎

(informal)

1. To jump into water in a squatting position, with the arms wrapped around the legs.  examples

2. To add an excessive amount of chlorine to a pool when it has not been maintained properly.  examples

3. (especially with along, down, up etc.) To move at high speed.  examples

(slang)

1. (reflexive) To make oneself drunk.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • The calendar was selling Moctezuma beer, so I had one of them in her honor while Murray bombed himself with the mezcal.

     1985, Pete Hamill, Dirty Laundry, page 97

   • TED: The champagne you ordered, sir.MAN: No time for this. Leave it on ice.WIFE: But I want some now...MAN: There'll be plenty for you at the party, baby, you can bomb yourself all you want at the party.

     1995, Four Rooms (film)

2. To cover an area in many graffiti tags.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • It is often used to collect other writer's tags, and future plans for bombing and piecing.

     2009, Scape Martinez, GRAFF: The Art & Technique of Graffiti, page 124

3. (transitive, intransitive) To fail dismally.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • So Hall quit the job, turned in the company car and went to Chicago, where as a stand-up comic he bombed several times before he was discovered by Nancy Wilson, who took him on the road — where he bombed again before a room of Republicans—and then to Los Angeles.

     1992 June, Lynn Norment, “Arsenio Hall: Claiming the Late-night Crown”, in Ebony, page 74

   • Carmen: […] Then it bombed and it bombed badly. After a few more issues I asked Mike what was happening and he said, “I′m trying everything I can but it′s just not working.” So I took him off the book and he left. That was it.

     2000, Carmen Infantino, Jon B. Cooke (interviewer), The Carmen Infantino Interview, in Jon B. Cooke, Neal Adams, Comic Book Artist Collection, page 12

   • She was the reason why he bombed the interview. He just couldn′t seem to get her out of his mind.

     2008, Erik Sternberger, The Long and Winding Road, page 62

4. (intransitive, computing) To crash.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • When things weren't going Alison's way at work — some editor wanted something changed or her computer bombed again — she'd cuss and yell at whoever happened to be in the way.

     2001, Janet Holm McHenry, Girlfriend Gatherings: Creative Ways to Stay Connected, page 28

5. (transitive) To make a smelly mess in a toilet.  examples

(obsolete) To sound; to boom; to make a humming or buzzing sound.  quotations

(slang) Great, awesome.