noun
bazooka
buh-ZOO-kuh/bəˈzuːkə/
A portable weapon that fires rockets.
The soldier holds a bazooka on his shoulder beside a matching rocket.
Etymology
Slang bazoo, meaning “mouth” or “boastful talk,” was expanded into the name of Bob Burns’s homemade musical instrument. That instrument’s name was then transferred to the rocket launcher.
In context
German troops are oriented in the use of the 3.5 rocket launcher, the famous American bazooka for use against tanks and other forms of armor.
More examples
- The documentary shows soldiers carrying a bazooka.
- Two obsolete bazookas appear in the military collection.
- The historian describes the introduction of the bazooka during wartime.
Forms
bazooka · bazookas
Similar words
- rocket launcher
- The broader functional name rather than this particular weapon type.