Definition of: bomb

(bom) noun
1. Mil. A hollow projectile containing explosive, incendiary, or chemical material to be discharged by concussion or by a time fuze.
2. Any similar receptacle, of any shape, containing an explosive: a dynamite bomb.
3. Geol. A roughly shaped spherical or ellipsoidal mass of lava hurled from a volcano during an explosive eruption.
4. An unexpected occurrence.
5. U.S. Slang A complete failure; flop; dud; disaster.
6. Football A long forward pass. See also GRENADE, MINE, SHELL,
—aerial bomb Any bomb dropped from an airplane.
—atomic bomb A bomb of formidable destructive power, utilizing the energy released by the continuing fission of atomic nuclei, especially those of radioactive elements, as uranium: also called A-bomb, atom bomb.
—chemical bomb A bomb which discharges noxious chemicals, fumes, and the like.
—de-molition bomb A high-explosive bomb used to destroy buildings and installations.
—depth bomb A drum-shaped bomb which explodes under water at a desired depth: used against underwater mines and submarines: also called ashcan; depth charge.
—fragmentation bomb A shrapnel-like bomb for use against ground troops and personnel.
—hung bomb A bomb that fails to be released from an aircraft.
—incendiary bomb A bomb filled with any of various inflammable materials as gasoline, oil, powdered magnesium, etc.
—robot bomb A high-explosive bomb equipped with a jet-propulsion engine or rocket mechanism permitting it to travel under its own power after being launched on the target: also called guided missile, pilotless plane. Also buzz bomb, flying bomb, rocket bomb.
—v.t.
1. To attack or destroy with or as with bombs.
—v.i.
2. U.S. Slang To fail utterly. [<F bombe <Ital. bomba <L bombus loud sound <Gk. bombos hollow noise]