Cannonball - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A cannonball is a heavy, round projectile fired from a cannon. It is typically made of iron or steel and was historically used in warfare to damage enemy structures or troops.
Definition:
A heavy iron or steel ball fired from a cannon, or a forceful dive into water.
Synonyms:
projectile, missile, shot, shell
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
feather, whisper
Common Collocations:
fire a cannonball, cannonball dive, cannonball run, cannonball impact
Derivatives:
cannonballed, cannonballing
Usage Tips:
Use "cannonball" literally for ammunition or figuratively for a powerful dive or action.
Common Phrases:
like a cannonball, cannonball express, cannonball through water
Etymology:
Derived from "cannon" + "ball," first used in the 16th century for artillery projectiles.
Examples:
- 1. The pirate loaded the cannonball into the old ship's gun.
- 2. She did a perfect cannonball into the pool, splashing everyone nearby.
- 3. The museum displayed a rusted cannonball from the Civil War era.
- 4. He ran through the crowd like a human cannonball to catch the bus.