# bombing

/ˈbɑmɪŋ/ (US) · /bˈɒmɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bombing
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. an explosive attack

noun · CEFR B2

an attack where bombs are dropped from planes or hidden in a place to explode.

For teachers: the act of attacking a target with explosive devices, whether through aerial bombardment or the placement of improvised explosives.

- The city was damaged during the heavy bombing in the final months of the war.
- The government condemned the recent bombing of the marketplace, promising a swift investigation into the groups responsible for the blast.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun for the general activity or a countable noun for a specific event.

### 2. attacking or failing

verb · CEFR B2

the action of attacking with bombs, or failing completely at something like a performance.

For teachers: the present participle of 'bomb', used to describe the act of explosive attack or, informally, a total failure in a public performance.

- The comedian was bombing so badly that people started leaving the theatre early.
- While the air force was bombing strategic industrial sites, the diplomatic corps worked feverishly to negotiate a ceasefire.

Usage: The 'failure' sense is informal and typically used in the context of entertainment or exams.

## Examples

- The city suffered a heavy bombing during the war.
- The local government held a memorial service to honor the victims of the recent bombing in the city center.
- Historians continue to debate the strategic necessity of the aerial bombing, weighing the military objectives against the significant loss of civilian life and infrastructure.

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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.