Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of bombarding an area with artillery shells: "shelling" refers to the military action of firing explosive projectiles (shells) from large guns, typically to saturate a general area rather than to strike a precise, single target. It describes a sustained, heavy bombardment.

Usage

• "Shelling" is used as an uncountable noun to describe the event or action itself.
• It is commonly used in military, historical, and news reporting contexts to describe attacks involving artillery, cannons, or mortars.
• The word emphasizes the continuous and intense nature of the bombardment.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "To come under shelling": to be subjected to an artillery attack.
  • The village came under intense shelling at dawn.
• "To cease shelling": to stop the artillery bombardment.
  • Both sides agreed to cease shelling to allow for humanitarian aid.

Variants and Related Words

• Shell (verb): to bombard with shells.
  • The enemy positions were shelled throughout the night.
• Shell (noun): the explosive projectile fired from a large gun.
• Bombardment (noun): a continuous attack with bombs or shells. (A close synonym with a slightly broader application, as it can include aerial bombs.)

Synonyms

• Bombardment: A sustained attack with bombs or artillery.
• Barrage: A concentrated outpouring of projectiles, often used interchangeably with "shelling" in a military context.
• Cannonade: A period of continuous heavy gunfire.

Related Phrases

• Artillery fire: A more general term for firing large-caliber guns, of which "shelling" is a specific, intensive type.
• Incoming fire: A general term for projectiles being fired towards a position, which can include shells.

Noun

1. 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