bomb shelter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

It is most commonly written as two words ('bomb shelter'). The hyphenated form 'bomb-shelter' is also sometimes seen, especially as a compound modifier (e.g., 'bomb-shelter door').

A bomb shelter is primarily designed to protect from the blast and debris of conventional explosives. A fallout shelter is designed to protect from radioactive fallout after a nuclear explosion, requiring thicker shielding against radiation. In casual use, the terms may blur, but technically they address different threats.

Yes, though often under different names like 'safe rooms', 'panic rooms', or 'blast-resistant shelters'. They are common in regions with active conflict, for high-security facilities, and in some private residences as a security or storm shelter.

Absolutely. It is often used to describe a person, place, or mindset that is heavily defended, isolated from external danger or influence (e.g., 'The CEO's office was a bomb shelter of calm during the corporate crisis').

A reinforced underground room or structure built to protect people from bombs and explosions, especially during air raids.

Bomb shelter is usually formal, historical, technical (civil defense) in register.

Bomb shelter: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɒm ˌʃɛltə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɑːm ˌʃɛltɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.