Definition

1. Verb:
   • To load an aircraft with bombs: The action of placing bombs onto an aircraft, typically a military plane, in preparation for a mission.

Usage

• This is a specific military and aviation term. It is used to describe the process of arming an aircraft with explosive ordnance.
• It is a transitive verb, requiring a direct object (the aircraft being loaded).
• The term is most commonly used in historical contexts, particularly regarding World War II, or in technical/operational descriptions.

Examples

• Verb:
  • The ground crew worked through the night to bomb up the squadron of bombers.
  • Before the dawn raid, the pilots supervised as their planes were bombed up.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used in both active and passive voice.
  • Active: They need to bomb up the fighter jets.
  • Passive: The aircraft was bombed up and ready for takeoff.

Variants and Related Words

• Bomb-load (noun): The total weight or quantity of bombs carried by an aircraft.
  • The plane's maximum bomb-load was ten tons.
• Re-arm (verb): A more general term for loading weapons onto a military vehicle or aircraft.
  • The helicopter returned to base to re-arm.

Synonyms

• Arm: To equip with weapons.
• Load: To put a load or cargo onto a vehicle (more general; "load with bombs" is a near-equivalent phrase).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Load up: A general phrasal verb meaning to put a large quantity of something onto a vehicle. In a military context, "load up with bombs" is a descriptive alternative.
  • The trucks loaded up with supplies.

Notes

• "Bomb up" is a highly specific term. In modern contexts, more general terms like "arm," "load ordnance," or "weaponize" might be used.
• It is not used in everyday, non-military conversation.

Verb

1. load an aircraft with bombs