pinpoint bombing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal / Military / Technical / Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “pinpoint bombing” mean?
A military airstrike aimed with extreme precision at a specific, small target.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A military airstrike aimed with extreme precision at a specific, small target.
Metaphorically, any highly focused and accurate action intended to affect a precise target with minimal collateral impact.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Slightly more common in US military and media discourse.
Connotations
Generally positive when discussing military efficacy and minimizing civilian casualties. Can be critiqued as euphemistic if strikes cause unintended damage.
Frequency
Spike in usage during periods of modern conflict (e.g., Gulf War, 1990s Balkans, War on Terror).
Grammar
How to Use “pinpoint bombing” in a Sentence
[military] conducted pinpoint bombing on [target]The strategy relied on pinpoint bombing to avoid [collateral damage]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pinpoint bombing” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The RAF's use of pinpoint bombing reduced collateral damage significantly.
- Pinpoint bombing requires excellent intelligence and weather conditions.
American English
- The Pentagon's report highlighted the success of the pinpoint bombing campaign.
- Modern drones have made pinpoint bombing more feasible.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical: 'The marketing campaign used pinpoint bombing of key influencers.'
Academic
In strategic studies, political science, or modern history discussions.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used in news discussions about conflict.
Technical
Standard term in military doctrine, aeronautics, and defence journalism.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “pinpoint bombing”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “pinpoint bombing”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pinpoint bombing”
- Using it to describe any accurate bombing, even if not technologically guided (e.g., WWII dive-bombing).
- Confusing it with 'surgical strike', which can involve other precision weapons, not just bombs.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very similar, but not identical. A 'surgical strike' is a broader term for any precise military action (could be a missile, special forces raid). 'Pinpoint bombing' specifically refers to aerial bombardment with bombs.
It gained prominence during the Vietnam War with early 'smart bomb' technology and became ubiquitous during the 1991 Gulf War with extensive media coverage of laser-guided bombs.
Yes, metaphorically. It can describe any highly targeted action, e.g., 'The prosecutor used pinpoint bombing of key evidence to dismantle the defence's case.'
Its intended advantage is achieving a military objective with maximum effect on the specific target and minimum collateral damage or unintended destruction.
A military airstrike aimed with extreme precision at a specific, small target.
Pinpoint bombing is usually formal / military / technical / journalistic in register.
Pinpoint bombing: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɪnpɔɪnt ˈbɒmɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɪnpɔɪnt ˈbɑːmɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of using a pin to point exactly where a single bomb should go on a map.
Conceptual Metaphor
WAR IS SURGERY (The bomber is a surgeon, the bomb is a scalpel, the target is a tumour).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary conceptual metaphor behind 'pinpoint bombing'?