Is a 'demolition bomb' the same as a 'bunker buster'?

They are conceptually similar, but 'bunker buster' is a modern term for bombs designed to penetrate hardened targets before exploding, while 'demolition bomb' is a broader, older term for any bomb whose main effect is structural destruction.

Can the term be used metaphorically?

Yes, though it's not common. E.g., 'The scandal was a political demolition bomb for the administration.'

Is this a common word today?

No, it is a low-frequency, specialised term found primarily in historical, technical, or military contexts.

What's the difference between a demolition bomb and a grenade?

Scale and delivery. A demolition bomb is a large aerial or placed explosive for destroying structures. A grenade is a small, hand-thrown weapon primarily for anti-personnel use.

demolition bomb

Low

UK/ˌdɛməˈlɪʃn bɒm/US/ˌdɛməˈlɪʃn bɑːm/

Military/Technical/Historical

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

A powerful explosive weapon designed specifically to destroy large structures like buildings, bridges, or fortified positions.

A term historically used for heavy, unguided aerial bombs intended for maximum structural damage, often contrasted with fragmentation or incendiary bombs.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Primarily used in military, historical, and some engineering contexts. The term implies a bomb whose primary purpose is physical destruction of structures rather than anti-personnel effect.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning. The term is used interchangeably in both military lexicons.

Connotations

Historical, large-scale destruction, strategic bombing campaigns of WWII.

Frequency

More common in historical accounts than in contemporary military parlance, where 'bunker buster' or 'penetration bomb' might be used for similar modern roles.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

heavy demolition bomballied demolition bombdrop a demolition bomb

medium

demolition bomb attackdemolition bomb crateruse a demolition bomb

weak

large demolition bombexplosive demolition bombtargeted with a demolition bomb

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[Aircraft/Force] + dropped/released + demolition bomb + on [target][Target] + was hit/struck by + demolition bomb

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

bunker busterearthquake bomb (specific type)

Neutral

heavy bombblockbuster bombpenetration bomb

Weak

explosive deviceaerial bomb

Vocabulary

Antonyms

incendiary bombfragmentation bombleaflet bombflashbang (stun grenade)

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“[not commonly idiomatic]”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Rare. Potentially in risk assessment ('The project failure was a financial demolition bomb.')

Academic

Used in military history and conflict studies papers.

Everyday

Extremely rare. Might be used metaphorically for something devastating.

Technical

Used in military engineering, explosives technology, and historical weaponry descriptions.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

The squadron was ordered to demolition-bomb the railway junction.
They planned to demolition-bomb the factory complex.

American English

The air force aimed to demolition-bomb the enemy headquarters.
Strategists decided to demolition-bomb the bridge.

adverb

British English

[Rarely used] The target was hit demolition-bomb style.

American English

[Rarely used] They attacked the fort demolition-bomb hard.

adjective

British English

The demolition-bomb damage was extensive.
They studied demolition-bomb effectiveness.

American English

The demolition-bomb mission was a success.
A demolition-bomb squadron was deployed.

Examples

By CEFR Level

The old building was destroyed by a bomb. (Simplified context)

In the war, planes dropped heavy bombs to destroy factories.

The archives described the use of a two-thousand-pound demolition bomb to collapse the viaduct.

Precision-guided munitions have largely replaced the crude but devastating demolition bombs of the Second World War, yet their conceptual purpose persists in modern 'bunker buster' weapons.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a 'DEMOLITION' crew tearing down a building. A 'demolition bomb' is like that crew in a single, devastating package.

Conceptual Metaphor

DESTRUCTION IS A TOOL / A CONTROLLED CATASTROPHE.

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Avoid direct calque 'демолиционная бомба'. Use standard term: 'фугасная авиабомба' (high-explosive aerial bomb).

Common Mistakes

Confusing it with a general 'bomb'. Using it for small explosive devices. Misspelling as 'demolishion bomb'.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The historic bridge was destroyed not by accident, but by a targeted during the war.

Multiple Choice

What is the primary purpose of a demolition bomb?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: They are conceptually similar, but 'bunker buster' is a modern term for bombs designed to penetrate hardened targets before exploding, while 'demolition bomb' is a broader, older term for any bomb whose main effect is structural destruction.
: Yes, though it's not common. E.g., 'The scandal was a political demolition bomb for the administration.'
: No, it is a low-frequency, specialised term found primarily in historical, technical, or military contexts.
: Scale and delivery. A demolition bomb is a large aerial or placed explosive for destroying structures. A grenade is a small, hand-thrown weapon primarily for anti-personnel use.