bullet

noun

Synonyms of bulletnext
often attributive
1
: a round or elongated missile (as of lead) to be fired from a firearm
broadly : cartridge sense a
2
a
: something resembling a bullet (as in curved form)
b
: a large dot placed in printed matter to call attention to a particular passage
3
: a very fast and accurately thrown or hit object (such as a ball or puck)

Examples of bullet in a Sentence

He was killed by an assassin's bullet. Bullets were used to separate each item. The quarterback threw a bullet to the receiver.
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 teen was initially thought to have been grazed by a bullet, but her wound was later found to have been caused by debris and plaster from the wall, police said. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2026 Prosecutors said the bullet Lagrone fired struck Manns in the arm and lodged in his spine. Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026 Deputies found a loaded magazine with hollow-point bullets in Jeanine John Taele’s pants pocket and weapons in his vehicle, as well as at his home, which was searched on Monday, the sheriff’s department said. Daniela Suarez, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2026 Several instances of bullets hitting homes and construction trailers in the area, Mayor Brad Pike reminded the council. Noah Daly august 5, Idaho Statesman, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bullet

Word History

Etymology

Middle French boulette small ball & boulet missile, diminutives of boule ball — more at bowl

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bullet was in 1579

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bullet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bullet. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

1
: a usually cone-shaped lead pellet fixed in the front of a firearms cartridge
2
a
: something like a bullet
b
: a large dot used in print to call attention to a particular passage
3
: a very fast and accurately thrown or hit object (as a ball)
Etymology

from early French boulette "small ball" and boulet "something thrown or shot," from boule "ball," from Latin bulla "bubble" — related to boil, bowl

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