longbow: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Historical, Technical, Literary
Quick answer
What does “longbow” mean?
A large, powerful bow that is roughly the height of the user, traditionally made from a single piece of wood, designed to shoot arrows over long distances.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, powerful bow that is roughly the height of the user, traditionally made from a single piece of wood, designed to shoot arrows over long distances.
A symbol of medieval English and Welsh military power and archery skill; the primary weapon of English archers in the Middle Ages, notably used at battles such as Agincourt and Crécy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word has identical meaning but higher cultural resonance in British English due to its prominent role in English history. In American English, it is more purely a technical/historical term.
Connotations
UK: National heritage, military success (e.g., Agincourt), Robin Hood folklore. US: A type of traditional or primitive bow, used in historical reenactment or by enthusiasts.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English in historical/educational contexts; equally low frequency in general modern usage.
Grammar
How to Use “longbow” in a Sentence
[Subject] + draws + the longbow[Subject] + fires/shoots + a longbowThe longbow + was + [past participle] (e.g., was used, was crafted)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “longbow” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- longbow archery
- longbow practice
- a longbow competition
American English
- longbow hunting
- a longbow tournament
- longbow skills
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; only in contexts of historical tourism, replica sales, or traditional craftsmanship.
Academic
Used in historical, military history, and archaeology papers discussing medieval warfare.
Everyday
Very rare; used when discussing history, archery as a hobby, or films/books set in the Middle Ages.
Technical
Used in archery, historical weaponry, and reenactment communities to specify the type of bow.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “longbow”
- Using 'longbow' to refer to any modern sporting bow. Confusing it with 'crossbow'. Incorrectly pluralising as 'longbows' (correct) but using a singular verb (e.g., 'The longbow are...').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A longbow has limbs that form a single, gentle curve (a 'D' shape). A recurve bow's limbs curve away from the archer at the tips, which stores more energy.
The best English longbows were made from yew wood, which combines a strong, elastic sapwood on the back with a compressive heartwood on the belly.
It gave England a major military advantage in the 14th-15th centuries. Battles like Crécy (1346) and Agincourt (1415) were won by armies where skilled longbowmen were crucial, despite often being outnumbered.
Yes. Traditional longbows are still made by craftsmen and used in historical reenactment, some forms of target archery, and traditional hunting.
A large, powerful bow that is roughly the height of the user, traditionally made from a single piece of wood, designed to shoot arrows over long distances.
Longbow is usually historical, technical, literary in register.
Longbow: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɒŋbəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɔːŋboʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To draw the longbow (archaic: to exaggerate or tell tall tales)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
LONG + BOW: Imagine a bow that is as LONG as a person is tall.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE LONGBOW IS HISTORICAL SUPERIORITY (e.g., 'The English longbow was the missile system of its day.')
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary historical association of the 'longbow'?