Definition

Noun: A package bomb is a concealed explosive device designed to be delivered and detenated via postal or parcel services. It is constructed to appear as an ordinary envelope or package and is intended to explode when opened or disturbed.

Usage

The term is used to describe a specific type of improvised explosive device (IED) sent through the mail with malicious intent. It is a security and law enforcement term.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The police issued a warning after a package bomb was discovered at the sorting facility.
  • Authorities are investigating a series of package bomb attacks targeting political figures.
  • Security training now includes procedures for identifying potential package bombs.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in the context of terrorism, assassination attempts, and workplace violence.
• It is frequently modified by adjectives describing its target or method, e.g., , .

Variants and Related Words

• Mail bomb (n): A near-synonym, specifically denoting an explosive device sent via postal mail.
• Parcel bomb (n): A synonym, with a slight emphasis on a larger packaged item.
• IED (Improvised Explosive Device) (n): The broader category to which a package bomb belongs.

Synonyms

• Mail bomb
• Parcel bomb
• Letter bomb (typically for envelope-sized devices)

Related Phrases

• To send a package bomb: The criminal act of mailing such a device.
  • The extremist was convicted for attempting to send a package bomb to a journalist.
• Package bomb scare: An incident causing alarm due to a suspected device.
  • The office was evacuated due to a package bomb scare.

Important Note

A "package bomb" is distinct from a "bomb package" (which could refer to a bundled set of explosives) or other compound nouns. The term specifically refers to the deceptive, mail-delivered explosive device itself.

Noun

1. a thin explosive device inside an envelope or package and detonated when opened