car bomb

noun

: an explosive device concealed in an automobile for use as a weapon of terrorism

Examples of car bomb in a Sentence

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.
What starts as a quiet morning outside the hospital before a charity race — Dawson is running, Casey is volunteering — turns instantly horrific when a car bomb explodes, tearing into the hospital and injuring dozens. — Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2026 John Miller, then a leading national reporter on ABC News, included a mention on air of a car bomb being found at the State Department – a detail that later proved inaccurate, Capehart noted. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2026 Experts say cartels use car bombs to intimidate rivals and authorities, pressure the government and spread fear among civilians. — María Verza, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026 Car bombs to spread fear Experts say cartels use car bombs to intimidate rivals and authorities, pressure the government and spread fear among civilians. — María Verza, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for car bomb

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of car bomb was in 1923

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Car bomb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/car%20bomb. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!