Torpedo definition

tôr-pēdō
torpedoed torpedoes torpedoing
See word origin
Frequency:
A cigar-shaped, self-propelled underwater projectile launched from a submarine, aircraft, or ship and designed to detonate on contact with or in the vicinity of a target.
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Any of various submarine explosive devices, especially a submarine mine.
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A small explosive placed on a railroad track that is fired by the weight of the train to sound a warning of an approaching hazard.
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An explosive fired in an oil or gas well to begin or increase the flow.
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A small firework consisting of gravel wrapped in tissue paper with a percussion cap that explodes when thrown against a hard surface.
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(slang) A professional assassin or thug.
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To attack, strike, or sink with a torpedo.
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To destroy decisively; wreck.

Torpedo efforts at reform.

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A large, cigar-shaped, self-propelled underwater projectile for launching against enemy ships from a submarine, airplane, etc.: it is detonated by contact, sound, etc.
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A metal case containing explosives, esp. one used as an underwater mine.
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A small fireworks device consisting of a percussion cap and gravel wrapped in tissue paper, which explodes with a loud noise when thrown against a hard surface.
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An explosive cartridge or a flare, placed on a railroad track and detonated by a train wheel as a signal to the crew.
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An explosive cartridge lowered into oil wells, where it is detonated to clear the bore or to break through to the oil pocket.
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(old, slang) A gangster or gunman hired as a bodyguard, assassin, etc.
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To attack, damage, or destroy with or as with a torpedo.
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(military) A cylindrical explosive projectile that can travel underwater and is used as a weapon.
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A fish having wings that generate electric current, a kind of electric ray.
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(regional) A submarine sandwich.
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(archaic, military) A naval mine.
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(slang) A professional gunman or assassin.
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(rail transport, US) A small explosive device attached to the top of the rail to provide an audible warning when a train passes over it.
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A kind of firework in the form of a small ball, or pellet, which explodes when thrown upon a hard object.
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To send a torpedo, usually from a submarine, that explodes below the waterline of the target ship.
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To sink a ship with one of more torpedoes.
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To undermine or destroy any endeavor with a stealthy, powerful attack.
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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
torpedo
Plural:
torpedoes, torpedos

Origin of torpedo

  • Latin torpēdō numbness, electric ray from torpēre to be stiff ster-1 in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Latin torpÄ“dō (“a torpedo fish"), from torpÄ“dō (“numbness, torpidity, electric ray"), from torpeō (“I am stiff, numb, torpid; I am astounded; I am inactive") and -dō (“noun suffix"), from Proto-Indo-European *ster (“stiff"), see also Old English steorfan (“to die"), Ancient Greek στερεός (stereos, “solid"), Lithuanian tirpstu (“to become rigid"), Old Church Slavonic трупети (trupeti)

    From Wiktionary

Torpedo Sentence Examples

  • There the German torpedo craft and German submarines lay in a safe base only some 60 m.

  • She missed her with a torpedo and opened fire at Boo yards.

  • The squib is lowered after the torpedo, and, when exploded by the descent of the weight, fires the charge.

  • On the completion of drilling, or when the production is found to decrease, it is usual to torpedo the well to increase the flow.

  • He added, it is true, a few torpedo boats and destroyers, but he promptly had them dismantled on arrival at Constantinople.

More sentences

Related articles

Words near torpedo in the Dictionary