blaster

Blaster is a term used to describe devices or weapons that discharge energy or projectiles. It is used in a variety of contexts, including fictional weapons, real-world blasting operations, consumer toys, and even computing.

In fiction, a blaster denotes handheld energy weapons that emit bolts of plasma or laser-like energy. They are common in science fiction universes such as Star Wars, where they are fictional counterparts of firearms but rely on energy cells and do not fire solid projectiles.

In real-world blasting, a blaster is a worker who places and initiates explosive charges, or the equipment used in blasting, including detonators and charges. Blasting work is regulated and requires licensing, safety protocols, and risk assessments due to the hazards of explosives.

In consumer products, blasters are toy guns that shoot foam darts or similar projectiles, popular among children and hobbyists; examples include Nerf blasters.

In information technology, the term blaster has been used as the name of a computer worm identified in 2003 that exploited a Windows vulnerability.