bulldozer

noun

bull·​doz·​er ˈbu̇l-ˌdō-zər How to pronounce bulldozer (audio)
also ˈbəl-
1
: one that bulldozes
2
: a tractor-driven machine usually having a broad horizontal blade for moving earth

Examples of bulldozer 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.
The Premier League, our league, is a bulldozer, flattening anything and everything. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 In May, when fences went up on the fragile wetlands and bulldozers arrived on Sazan Island, residents of the nearby town of Zvërnec in the south of Albania protested, using one of the region’s beloved species as their symbol. — Naomi Tomky, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Aug. 2026 Firefighters used a bulldozer, cut down trees and applied fire retardant in their attempt to contain the flames, Hargrove said. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026 Videos showing contractors using bulldozers angered local residents, Democrats, and a few Republicans. — Jack Fink, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bulldozer

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bulldozer was in 1876

Rhymes for bulldozer

See All Rhymes for bulldozer

Browse Nearby Words

bulldoze one's way
bulldozer
bull driver
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bulldozer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bulldozer. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bulldozer

noun
bull·​doz·​er ˈbu̇l-ˌdō-zər How to pronounce bulldozer (audio)
: a piece of earth-moving equipment that rides on tracks and has a broad blade for pushing (as in clearing land of trees)

More from Merriam-Webster on bulldozer

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bulldozer

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