# bombardier

/ˌbɑmbɝˈdɪɹ/ (US) · /bˌɒmbədˈiə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bombardier
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. aircraft crew member

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a member of a military plane's crew who is responsible for aiming and releasing bombs.

For teachers: a member of a bomber aircrew responsible for sighting and releasing the aircraft's payload.

- The bombardier checked his sights as the plane approached the target.
- During the mission, the bombardier had to maintain absolute focus on the optical sights despite the heavy anti-aircraft fire surrounding the formation.

Usage: Commonly used in historical contexts regarding World War II aviation.

### 2. military rank

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Technical

a rank for a soldier in the artillery, similar to a corporal.

For teachers: a non-commissioned officer rank in the artillery branches of certain Commonwealth armies, equivalent to the rank of corporal.

- He was promoted to bombardier after serving three years in the Royal Artillery.
- The bombardier was responsible for the discipline and technical proficiency of the gun crew during the live-fire exercise.

Usage: Often abbreviated as Bdr in military documents.

### 3. bombardier beetle

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a type of beetle that sprays a hot, smelly chemical to defend itself.

For teachers: a ground beetle of the subfamily Brachininae that defends itself by audibly spraying a hot, noxious chemical liquid.

- The bombardier beetle escaped the predator by firing a jet of boiling liquid.
- Researchers studied the unique combustion chamber of the bombardier beetle to understand how it survives the high temperatures of its own chemical spray.

## Examples

- The salesperson acted like a bombardier, asking me a hundred questions in five minutes.
- The lead singer was a vocal bombardier, constantly shouting lyrics over the heavy guitar riffs during the performance.
- In the digital age, the modern office worker is often a target of a relentless bombardier of notifications, emails, and calendar alerts that fragment their focus throughout the day.

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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.