Definition

1. Noun:
   • A sustained attack using bombs or artillery: The act of attacking a place continuously with bombs, shells, or other explosive projectiles.
   • The act of subjecting something to a stream of high-energy particles: In physics, the process of directing a flow of particles (like electrons) at a substance.
   • An overwhelming, rapid, and continuous delivery of something: A figurative use describing a relentless onslaught of words, questions, information, or criticism.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The city endured continuous bombardment for several days.
  • The experiment involved the bombardment of the sample with alpha particles.
  • The celebrity faced a bombardment of questions from the reporters.
  • After the policy change, the office received a bombardment of complaints.

Advanced Usage

• "To be under bombardment": To be experiencing a sustained attack.
  • The civilian population was under constant bombardment.
• "Aerial bombardment": An attack carried out by aircraft dropping bombs.
  • The strategy relied heavily on aerial bombardment.
• "Verbal bombardment": A figurative, non-literal use for an overwhelming amount of speech or criticism.
  • She felt exhausted after the verbal bombardment from her critics.

Variants and Related Words

• Bombard (verb): To attack a place with bombs or artillery; to subject someone to a continuous flow of something.
  • The planes were ordered to bombard the enemy positions.
  • The speaker was bombarded with requests.
• Bombardier (noun): A crew member responsible for aiming and releasing bombs from an aircraft; historically, an artilleryman.

Synonyms

• Barrage: A concentrated artillery bombardment; a rapid, heavy outpouring.
• Shelling: The firing of explosive artillery shells.
• Onslaught: A fierce or destructive attack.
• Flurry: A sudden, brief period of intense activity (often used for non-physical attacks like questions).

Related Phrases

• "Lay down a bombardment": To begin a sustained artillery or bombing attack.
  • The forces were ordered to lay down a bombardment on the fortifications.
• "Saturation bombardment": Bombardment intended to cover an entire area, not specific targets.
  • The tactic of saturation bombardment was used to weaken enemy defenses.

Noun

1. an attack by dropping bombs
2. the act (or an instance) of subjecting a body or substance to the impact of high-energy particles (as electrons or alpha rays)
3. the heavy fire of artillery to saturate an area rather than hit a specific target
   • they laid down a barrage in front of the advancing troops
   • the shelling went on for hours without pausing
4. the rapid and continuous delivery of linguistic communication (spoken or written)
   • a barrage of questions
   • a bombardment of mail complaining about his mistake