grenade launcher: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Military
Quick answer
What does “grenade launcher” mean?
A weapon designed to fire a grenade further and more accurately than by hand.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A weapon designed to fire a grenade further and more accurately than by hand.
Any weapon system or attachment that propels explosive or specialty grenades. Can refer to standalone shoulder-fired weapons or under-barrel attachments for rifles. In metaphorical use, something that delivers a powerful or disruptive impact.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The specific model names (e.g., L17A2 in UK, M203 in US) differ by military.
Connotations
Identical technical/military connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in military/technical contexts. Slightly more prevalent in American media and video game discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “grenade launcher” in a Sentence
[Subject] armed with a grenade launcher[Subject] fired the grenade launcher at [Target]The [Weapon] was fitted with a grenade launcherVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grenade launcher” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The section will grenade-launcher the enemy position. (rare, jargonic)
American English
- They grenade-launched the bunker. (rare, jargonic)
adjective
British English
- The grenade-launcher capability was deemed essential.
American English
- He attended the grenade-launcher certification course.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Only in defence contracting: 'The contract includes 500 new under-barrel grenade launchers.'
Academic
In military history, political science (conflict studies), or engineering texts.
Everyday
Extremely rare except in discussions of news, video games, or films involving military action.
Technical
Standard term in military manuals, firearms specifications, and video game weapon stats.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “grenade launcher”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “grenade launcher”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grenade launcher”
- Using 'grenade launcher' to refer to a bazooka or RPG (which are rocket launchers).
- Misspelling as 'grenade lunch-er'.
- Incorrect plural: 'grenades launcher' instead of 'grenade launchers'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. An RPG (Rocket-Propelled Grenade) is a type of rocket launcher firing a self-propelled projectile. A grenade launcher typically fires a lower-velocity, shell-like grenade using a blank cartridge or low-pressure propellant.
Extremely rarely and only in informal military or gaming jargon (e.g., 'We need to grenade-launcher that window'). It is not standard English.
The 40mm under-barrel grenade launcher (like the US M203 or M320), which attaches to a rifle, is one of the most widely recognised types.
Primarily no. Its use is almost exclusively in military, law enforcement (SWAT), historical, and entertainment (films, video games) contexts.
A weapon designed to fire a grenade further and more accurately than by hand.
Grenade launcher is usually technical/military in register.
Grenade launcher: in British English it is pronounced /ɡrəˈneɪd ˌlɔːntʃə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡrəˈneɪd ˌlɔːntʃər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Metaphorical] He's a human grenade launcher in meetings, always launching explosive ideas.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: GRENADE needs a LAUNCHER to go far. It LAUNCHes a small explosive GRENADE.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SOURCE OF POWERFUL/DISRUPTIVE PROJECTION (e.g., 'Her criticism was a verbal grenade launcher').
Practice
Quiz
What is a key distinguishing feature of a 'grenade launcher' compared to a 'rocket launcher'?