Definition

1. Noun:
   • A projectile for artillery: An "artillery shell" is a complete, self-contained munition designed to be fired from a large-caliber gun, such as a cannon, howitzer, or mortar. It typically consists of a casing, an explosive or other payload, and a fuzing mechanism.

Usage

• The term "artillery shell" refers specifically to the ammunition projectile itself, not the gun that fires it. It is a count noun (e.g., ).

Examples

• Noun:
  • The battery fired over a hundred artillery shells at the enemy position.
  • Archaeologists unearthed an unexploded artillery shell from the First World War.
  • The effectiveness of an artillery shell depends on its design and the type of filler it contains.

Advanced Usage

• "Shelling": The act of bombarding a target with artillery shells.
  • The city endured heavy shelling for several days.

Variants and Related Words

• Shell (n): A more general term for any projectile from a large gun, often used interchangeably with "artillery shell" in military contexts.
• Projectile (n): A broader term for any object propelled through the air, especially one fired from a weapon.
• Round (n): A complete unit of ammunition, which for artillery includes the shell, the propellant, and the primer.

Synonyms

• Cannon shell
• Shell

Related Phrases

• "Incoming shell": A warning shout to indicate an artillery shell is about to impact.
  • The soldiers dove for cover when they heard the cry, "Incoming shell!"

Noun

1. a shell fired by artillery