cannonball: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Historical, Technical
Quick answer
What does “cannonball” mean?
A large, heavy, solid iron or steel ball fired from a cannon.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, heavy, solid iron or steel ball fired from a cannon.
A person who jumps into water with their arms and legs tucked in to create a large splash; something that moves with great speed and force.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling is consistent. The verb usage (to cannonball) is slightly more common in American English. The diving sense is universally understood.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes force, speed, and lack of subtlety. In historical contexts, it is neutral.
Frequency
More frequent in American English in sports/leisure contexts (e.g., 'cannonball contest'). In British English, the historical/military sense is slightly more dominant.
Grammar
How to Use “cannonball” in a Sentence
[Subject] cannonballed into [Location]The [Projectile] cannonballed through [Obstacle]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cannonball” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He cannonballed into the chilly lake.
- The train cannonballed through the station without stopping.
American English
- The kids love to cannonball off the dock.
- She cannonballed past the defenders to score the winning goal.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Metaphorical: 'The new product cannonballed into the market.'
Academic
Mostly in historical or physics contexts discussing projectile motion.
Everyday
Primarily for describing a type of dive into water.
Technical
In historical weaponry, naval history, and physics.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cannonball”
- Misspelling as 'canonball' (canon vs. cannon).
- Using it as a verb where 'dive' or 'plunge' would be more natural in formal contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a closed compound, written as one word: 'cannonball'.
Yes, informally, meaning to jump/dive into water in a tucked position or to move with great speed and force.
'Cannonball' is the standard modern spelling for the projectile or the dive. 'Cannon ball' (open compound) is an older or less common variant.
No, it is firmly informal and colloquial, appropriate for casual conversation but not for formal writing.
A large, heavy, solid iron or steel ball fired from a cannon.
Cannonball: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkanənbɔːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkænənˌbɔl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cannonball run (a fast, direct journey)”
- “like a cannonball (moving with great speed and force)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CANNON firing a BALL. The word is simply the two parts combined.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPEED IS A PROJECTILE / FORCE IS A SOLID OBJECT.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'cannonball' LEAST likely to be used?