# bilbo

/ˈbɪɫˌboʊ/ (US) · /bˈɪlbəʊ/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bilbo
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

a short, thick sword with a curved blade. It is a very old word for a type of weapon that people used in the past.

For teachers: a short, thick sword with a curved blade, typically of the type used by the English in the 16th century. Often used in historical or literary contexts to describe a specific style of hand weapon.

## Examples

- The knight carried a heavy bilbo into battle.
- The museum's collection includes several rare examples of the bilbo, a weapon that was popular among the common soldiers of the era.
- While the longsword was the preferred weapon of the nobility, the bilbo remained a staple of the infantry due to its compact size and effectiveness in close quarters.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.