cluster bomb: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Military, Journalistic, Figurative (informal contexts)
Quick answer
What does “cluster bomb” mean?
A weapon consisting of a large container that releases many smaller explosive submunitions over a wide area when detonated.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A weapon consisting of a large container that releases many smaller explosive submunitions over a wide area when detonated.
By extension, something that creates a widespread, multifaceted, and often chaotic set of problems or effects. Also used as a verb meaning to attack with such a weapon or to overwhelm with a multitude of things at once.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling and usage are identical. The term is equally recognized in both varieties.
Connotations
Strongly negative connotations associated with civilian casualties and long-term danger from unexploded ordnance (duds). In figurative use, implies a chaotic, overwhelming, and damaging situation.
Frequency
More frequent in news/political discourse than in everyday conversation. Figurative use is more common in analytical writing (business, politics) than in casual speech.
Grammar
How to Use “cluster bomb” in a Sentence
[Subject] dropped cluster bombs on [Target].[Subject] was cluster-bombed.The policy was a political cluster bomb.The report cluster-bombed the department with criticisms.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cluster bomb” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The air force was accused of cluster-bombing civilian areas.
- The CEO cluster-bombed the staff with a dozen urgent new directives.
American English
- The regime cluster-bombed the rebel-held valley.
- The new tax code cluster-bombs small businesses with complex paperwork.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; highly figurative) The criticisms landed cluster-bomb style, everywhere at once.
American English
- (Not standard; highly figurative) The questions came cluster-bomb fast during the press conference.
adjective
British English
- They faced cluster-bomb casualties.
- It was a cluster-bomb strategy for the marketing campaign.
American English
- Cluster bomb submunitions pose a long-term threat.
- He unleashed a cluster-bomb approach to solving the problem.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorically: 'The merger announcement was a cluster bomb that destabilised the entire sector.'
Academic
Discussed in political science, international law (e.g., the Convention on Cluster Munitions), and military history.
Everyday
Rare in casual talk unless discussing news. Figurative: 'Her resignation email was a total cluster bomb for the team's morale.'
Technical
Specific reference to weapon systems, fuze types, submunition count, failure (dud) rates, and clearance protocols.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cluster bomb”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cluster bomb”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cluster bomb”
- Using 'cluster bomb' as a plural (incorrect: 'cluster bombses'). The plural is 'cluster bombs'.
- Confusing it with 'napalm' (incendiary) or 'landmine' (pressure-activated).
- Misspelling as 'clustered bomb'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a two-word compound noun. The hyphenated form 'cluster-bomb' is used when it functions as a verb or a modifier before a noun (e.g., cluster-bomb attack).
Their wide area effect endangers civilians during attacks, and a significant percentage of submunitions often fail to explode on impact, leaving deadly 'duds' that contaminate land and act like landmines for decades.
Extremely rarely and only in highly informal, figurative contexts (e.g., 'Her product launch was a cluster bomb of great ideas'). Even then, the metaphor carries connotations of being overwhelming and hard to control.
The Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), which entered into force in 2010. Many, but not all, nations are signatories.
A weapon consisting of a large container that releases many smaller explosive submunitions over a wide area when detonated.
Cluster bomb is usually formal, military, journalistic, figurative (informal contexts) in register.
Cluster bomb: in British English it is pronounced /ˈklʌstə bɒm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈklʌstər bɑːm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[to be/act like] a political cluster bomb”
- “[to] drop a cluster bomb on [a situation]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CLUSTER of grapes. A CLUSTER BOMB releases a cluster of many small bombs that scatter like grapes falling from a bunch.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PROBLEM IS AN EXPLOSIVE DEVICE; OVERWHELMING FORCE IS A WEAPON; CHAOS IS SCATTERED DEBRIS.
Practice
Quiz
In a figurative business context, what does 'it was a cluster bomb' typically mean?