bullet

noun

Synonyms of bulletnext
often attributive
1
: a round or elongated missile (as of lead) to be fired from a firearm
broadly : cartridge sense a
2
a
: something resembling a bullet (as in curved form)
b
: a large dot placed in printed matter to call attention to a particular passage
3
: a very fast and accurately thrown or hit object (such as a ball or puck)

Examples of bullet in a Sentence

He was killed by an assassin's bullet. Bullets were used to separate each item. The quarterback threw a bullet to the receiver.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The bullet pierced the rear passenger window of Irvine’s car, striking him in the right shoulder and causing his death. — Kelsie Cairns , Maria Paronich, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026 After riddling the vehicle with bullets and receiving backup from the 400 Mawozo gang, the gunmen set the vehicle on fire with an explosive device, several sources told the Herald. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026 The bullet that killed Irvine passed through his vehicle's rear passenger door and struck Irvine in the back of his right shoulder, according to the affidavit. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 Idaho is abundant in critical minerals like antimony, a mineral used in defense manufacturing for bullets, flame retardants, night vision goggles as well as consumer electronics, wind turbines, solar panels and more. — Charlotte Hu, Time, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bullet

Word History

Etymology

Middle French boulette small ball & boulet missile, diminutives of boule ball — more at bowl

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bullet was in 1579

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bullet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bullet. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

1
: a usually cone-shaped lead pellet fixed in the front of a firearms cartridge
2
a
: something like a bullet
b
: a large dot used in print to call attention to a particular passage
3
: a very fast and accurately thrown or hit object (as a ball)
Etymology

from early French boulette "small ball" and boulet "something thrown or shot," from boule "ball," from Latin bulla "bubble" — related to boil, bowl

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