Definition

Noun: A specialized optical or computing instrument mounted in an aircraft, used by a bombardier to calculate the precise point at which to release a bomb so that it hits a target on the ground, accounting for factors like speed, altitude, and wind.

Usage

The word "bombsight" is used specifically to refer to the aiming device itself. It functions as a countable noun. * The bombardier peered through the bombsight, waiting for the crosshairs to align with the factory below. * Early bombsights were mechanical, while modern ones are integrated computer systems.

Advanced Usage

• "To use/drop by bombsight": This phrase emphasizes the method of aiming, contrasting with unguided or indiscriminate bombing.
  • The mission required precision, so they had to drop the payload by bombsight.

Variants and Related Words

• Bombardier (noun): The crew member responsible for operating the bombsight and releasing the bombs.
• Bombing run (noun): The flight path an aircraft follows toward a target to deploy bombs, during which the bombsight is used.

Synonyms

• Aiming device (general)
• Targeting system (modern, general)

Different Meanings

The word "bombsight" has only one specific meaning related to military aviation and does not have other common definitions.

Noun

1. a sighting device in an aircraft for aiming bombs