logic bomb: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (Low-frequency, domain-specific term)Formal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “logic bomb” mean?
A piece of malicious computer code intentionally inserted into a software system, designed to execute only when a specific set of conditions is met, typically causing damage or disruption.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A piece of malicious computer code intentionally inserted into a software system, designed to execute only when a specific set of conditions is met, typically causing damage or disruption.
More broadly, any hidden, time-delayed, or condition-triggered destructive mechanism, whether in software, physical systems, or metaphorical contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or spelling differences. The compound noun is used identically.
Connotations
Identical connotations of sabotage, threat, and delayed action in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and confined to IT security, software engineering, and related legal/journalistic contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “logic bomb” in a Sentence
[Subject: person/organisation] planted a logic bomb in [object: system/software].The logic bomb was triggered when/whenever/by [condition].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “logic bomb” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- They feared a logic-bomb scenario.
- The logic-bomb threat was taken seriously.
American English
- They were concerned about a logic-bomb attack.
- The audit looked for logic-bomb vulnerabilities.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Discussed in risk management, IT audits, and employee contract clauses regarding intellectual property sabotage.
Academic
Studied in computer science, cybersecurity, digital forensics, and criminology courses.
Everyday
Rarely used; may appear in news reports about high-profile cybercrime or corporate espionage.
Technical
A precise term in cybersecurity, software development life cycles, and incident response protocols.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “logic bomb”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “logic bomb”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “logic bomb”
- Using 'logic bomb' to refer to a computer virus that spreads immediately (incorrect: lacks the conditional trigger).
- Pronouncing 'logic' with a soft 'g' as in 'magic'; it's a hard /dʒ/ sound.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both are malware, a virus self-replicates and spreads, whereas a logic bomb does not. A logic bomb's key feature is its dormant, condition-based trigger.
Often insiders like dissatisfied employees or contractors with system access, as they can embed the code and understand the conditions to trigger it. However, external attackers can also deploy them.
The term is inherently malicious. A similar non-malicious mechanism might be called a 'time-delayed routine' or 'conditional script,' but in practice, 'logic bomb' implies harmful intent.
Common triggers include a specific date or time, the removal of an employee's name from a payroll database, a particular command being run, or after a certain number of system logins.
A piece of malicious computer code intentionally inserted into a software system, designed to execute only when a specific set of conditions is met, typically causing damage or disruption.
Logic bomb is usually formal, technical in register.
Logic bomb: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɒdʒ.ɪk ˌbɒm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɑː.dʒɪk ˌbɑːm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A ticking logic bomb (metaphorical for an impending digital disaster).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a bomb (explosive damage) that is controlled by logic gates from a computer chip. The 'logic' decides WHEN it goes off.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPUTER CODE IS A PHYSICAL WEAPON / A DELAYED THREAT IS A TICKING BOMB.
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining characteristic of a logic bomb?