shrapnel
word
/ˈʃɹæpnəɫ/
/ʃɹˈæpnəl/
Definition
Small pieces of metal that scatter from an exploding bomb, shell, or other explosive device. Shrapnel can cause injuries when it flies through the air.
Usage & Nuances
Mostly used in military, news, and medical contexts. 'Shrapnel' refers to fragments from explosives, not bullets. In medical or everyday speech, sometimes used for any flying metal debris causing injury.
Spanish: metrallaPortuguese (BR): estilhaços - fragmentos de bombaPortuguese (PT): estilhaçosChinese (Simplified): 弹片Chinese (Traditional): 彈片Hindi: श्रेपनल (गोला-बारूद के टुकड़े)Arabic: شظاياBengali: ছিটা-বোমার টুকরোRussian: осколки (от снарядов)Japanese: 榴散弾の破片Vietnamese: mảnh bomKorean: 파편Turkish: şarapnelUrdu: شراپنلIndonesian: serpihan peluru
Example Sentences
After the accident, the car’s windshield was full of shrapnel.
natural
Be careful—there might be shrapnel hidden in the rubble.
natural
Shrapnel hit his arm during the explosion.
basic
Doctors removed shrapnel from the wound.
basic
The bomb exploded and shrapnel flew everywhere.
basic
He still has a tiny piece of shrapnel in his leg from the war.
natural