cannonade: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Literary, Historical, Military
Quick answer
What does “cannonade” mean?
A continuous, heavy discharge of artillery, especially a prolonged and heavy bombardment.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A continuous, heavy discharge of artillery, especially a prolonged and heavy bombardment.
Any prolonged, repeated, or heavy attack or criticism, often in a metaphorical sense (e.g., a cannonade of questions).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage, meaning, or spelling. Used similarly in both contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries strong connotations of historical or dramatic conflict.
Frequency
Equally uncommon and literary/historical in both BrE and AmE. Slightly more likely in AmE military historiography.
Grammar
How to Use “cannonade” in a Sentence
The army subjected the fortress to a ~A ~ of [noun: questions/criticism] came from...The ~ lasted for hours.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cannonade” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The royal navy cannonaded the coastal defences throughout the night.
- The opposition cannonaded the minister with inquiries.
American English
- The fort was cannonaded for two days before surrendering.
- Reporters cannonaded the official with questions about the scandal.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Used metaphorically: 'The CEO faced a cannonade of questions from shareholders about the merger.'
Academic
Used in historical, military, or literary studies to describe battles or rhetorical attacks.
Everyday
Very rare. Would be understood but sound overly formal or dramatic.
Technical
Specific military history term for a specific type of sustained artillery fire.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cannonade”
- Misspelling as 'canonade' (confusing with 'canon').
- Using it for a single shot (it implies duration).
- Using it in casual conversation where 'barrage' or 'lot of' would suffice.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a C2-level word, found primarily in historical, military, or literary contexts, or in vivid figurative language.
They are often synonyms. 'Cannonade' is more specific to artillery and can sound more historical/literary. 'Barrage' is more common, broader (can be arrows, words, light), and used in modern contexts.
Yes, though less common than the noun. It means to bombard with cannon or, figuratively, to assail repeatedly (e.g., 'cannonaded with emails').
No. It inherently implies a prolonged, heavy, and continuous series of shots or attacks.
A continuous, heavy discharge of artillery, especially a prolonged and heavy bombardment.
Cannonade is usually formal, literary, historical, military in register.
Cannonade: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkænəˈneɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkænəˈneɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A verbal cannonade”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CANNON firing in a prolonged PARADE (cannon-ade). It's a parade of cannon fire.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARGUMENT/CRITICISM IS WAR (e.g., a cannonade of insults).
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts is 'cannonade' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?