# shrapnel

/ˈʃɹæpnəɫ/ (US) · /ʃɹˈæpnəl/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shrapnel
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

small pieces of metal that fly through the air when a bomb or shell explodes. In some places, people also use this word to talk about a pocket full of small, heavy coins.

For teachers: fragments of a bomb, shell, or other object thrown out by an explosion. In British and Australian English, it serves as a colloquialism for a large amount of low-value loose change.

## Examples

- The soldier had a small piece of shrapnel in his shoulder.
- After the blast, investigators collected shrapnel from the site to determine the type of device used.
- The armored plating was designed specifically to withstand high-velocity shrapnel, though the concussive force of the nearby detonation still caused significant internal damage to the vehicle's systems.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable; refers to the collective fragments rather than a single piece. When used for coins, it is informal and typically humorous.

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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.