air-raid

An air-raid siren sounds over the city.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • An attack by aircraft: "air-raid" refers to an attack in which military aircraft drop bombs or fire weapons on a target, typically a city, town, or strategic location.
   • A period of danger from above: It can also denote the time during which such an attack takes place, often marked by warning signals and shelter procedures.

2. Adjective:

   • Related to protection against aerial attacks: Used to describe measures, equipment, or actions taken to prepare for or respond to an air-raid. For example, an "air-raid shelter" is a place designed to protect people from bombs.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The city was devastated by a massive air-raid during the war. (An attack by enemy aircraft causing widespread destruction.)
  • The air-raid lasted for two hours, forcing residents to stay in their shelters. (The period of the aerial attack.)

• Adjective:

  • They built an air-raid shelter in their backyard. (A protective structure against bombs.)
  • The government issued air-raid warnings to alert the population. (Official announcements about an imminent attack.)

Advanced Usage

• "air-raid precautions": measures taken to reduce the effects of an air-raid, such as blackouts, sirens, and public drills.

  • During World War II, all citizens were required to follow air-raid precautions. (Rules and actions to stay safe during aerial attacks.)

• "air-raid alert": a signal, often a siren, indicating that an air-raid is imminent or in progress.

  • The air-raid alert sounded at midnight, and everyone rushed to the shelters. (The warning sound for an attack.)

Variants and Related Words

• Air raid (n): The same as "air-raid", often written as two words without a hyphen.

  • The air raid caused significant damage to the industrial zone. (An aerial attack.)

• Raider (n): A person or aircraft that conducts an air-raid.

  • The enemy raiders were intercepted by fighter jets. (Aircraft carrying out the attack.)

Synonyms

• Aerial attack: an assault from the air.
• Bombing raid: a specific type of air-raid focused on dropping bombs.
• Strike: a military attack, often from the air.

Related Idioms

• Take cover during an air-raid: to seek protection in a shelter or safe place.
  • When the sirens start, you must take cover during an air-raid. (Find a safe location to avoid bombs.)