mills bomb: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareTechnical / Historical
Quick answer
What does “mills bomb” mean?
A specific type of British fragmentation hand grenade, notable for its pineapple-like segmented iron casing, developed in 1915.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific type of British fragmentation hand grenade, notable for its pineapple-like segmented iron casing, developed in 1915.
Often used metonymically to refer to early hand grenades or as a specific historical term for this particular weapon. Can appear in historical or military contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily a British/Commonwealth term. In American military history, the term is understood but less common; 'fragmentation grenade' or specific models like the 'MK2' are more typical referents.
Connotations
In the UK, it carries strong connotations of WWI and WWII trench warfare. In the US, it is a more neutral historical term.
Frequency
Virtually never used in contemporary everyday English in either variety. Appears almost exclusively in historical documentaries, museums, military history books, and reenactment contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “mills bomb” in a Sentence
[Subject] threw/pulled the pin on a Mills bomb.The soldier was armed with a Mills bomb.A Mills bomb [verb: exploded, landed, lay].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mills bomb” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The instructor demonstrated how to properly Mills-bomb the enemy position. (rare, technical jargon)
American English
- [No common verb usage in AmE]
adverb
British English
- [No adverb usage]
American English
- [No adverb usage]
adjective
British English
- He specialised in Mills-bomb mechanisms. (compound adjective)
American English
- The display featured a Mills bomb casing. (noun adjunct)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in military history papers, historical analyses of WWI/II infantry tactics.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used by history enthusiasts or in a metaphorical, hyperbolic sense (e.g., 'He threw a verbal Mills bomb into the meeting').
Technical
Used in ordnance identification, museum curation, military archaeology, and reenactment manuals.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mills bomb”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mills bomb”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mills bomb”
- Using it as a generic term for any grenade in modern contexts. Writing 'Mill's bomb' (incorrect apostrophe). Pronouncing 'Mills' to rhyme with 'miles'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a historical term. You will encounter it primarily in museums, history books, and documentaries about the World Wars.
Due to its distinctive outer casing, which is divided into segments like the skin of a pineapple. This design controlled fragmentation.
No, it is technically incorrect. It refers specifically to the British No. 5 and No. 36 grenade designs. Using it generically is a mark of non-specialist historical writing.
It was designed by William Mills, a British engineer, in 1915. The design was a significant improvement on earlier, more dangerous grenades.
A specific type of British fragmentation hand grenade, notable for its pineapple-like segmented iron casing, developed in 1915.
Mills bomb is usually technical / historical in register.
Mills bomb: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɪlz ˌbɒm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɪlz ˌbɑːm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No established idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the 'mill' grinding grain into pieces – a Mills bomb 'mills' its iron casing into deadly fragments.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CONTAINER OF DESTRUCTION; A DEADLY FRUIT (pineapple); A PACKAGED EXPLOSION.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'Mills bomb' primarily associated with?