bombard

Bombard is a verb meaning to attack with bombs or artillery, or to subject someone or something to a sustained barrage of something, such as questions or requests. In military usage, bombardment refers to the act of attacking fortifications or positions with artillery, missiles, or bombs. The term can also describe the large siege weapons historically known as bombard guns, used to breach walls in medieval and early modern warfare. In everyday language, people commonly say that a person or institution is being bombarded with emails, inquiries, or propaganda.

Etymology and usage notes: the word originates from the French bombarder, which derives from Italian bombardare, and is ultimately linked to terms for a bomb or explosive device. The association with heavy artillery is reflected in the historical use of bombard as both an action and a class of weapons in siege warfare.

In music, bombard (or bombarde) refers to a traditional double-reed woodwind instrument found in Brittany and other parts of Europe. It is played in folk ensembles and has various regional forms; its tone is bright and penetrating, suited to outdoor performance and rhythmically driving folk tunes.

See also: bombardment, bombardier. In modern language, the term is frequently used metaphorically to describe overwhelming quantities of material directed at someone, as in being bombarded with information or advertisements.