German word

Bombenanschlag

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈbɔmbn̩ˌanʃlaːk/

Meaning

  • masculine nounbombing

Example

Es gab einen Bombenanschlag in der Stadt.

There was a bombing in the city.

Illustration for Bombenanschlag (bombing)

More examples

Die Ermittler prüfen den Hintergrund des Bombenanschlags.

The investigators are examining the background to the bombing.

Core concept

A deliberately planted bomb explodes at a chosen place as an act of attack rather than an accidental blast.

Common phrases

  • Hintergrund eines Bombenanschlags

    background to a bombing

  • Drohung mit einem Bombenanschlag

    threat of a bombing

Similar words

Anschlag: An intentional act of violence directed at people or objects.
Terroranschlag: A violent attack carried out to spread fear for political or religious ends.
Attentat: A deliberate lethal attack aimed at a named individual, often a public figure.
Explosion: An unintended explosion caused by a chemical process, accident, or similar event.

Definition in German

Bombenanschlag ist ein absichtlich verübter Angriff mit einer Bombe, bei dem durch Explosion Personen oder Sachen geschädigt werden.

Word origin

The compound joins Bombe with Anschlag, a noun related to the idea of striking or attacking, to name an attack carried out with a bomb.

Usage tips

  • German news reports often use Bombenanschlag for an intentional attack, while an accidental explosion is normally called eine Explosion.

Other meanings

  • bombing incidentnoun
  • terrorist bombingnoun

Related words

  • Anschlagsmotivmotive for the attacknoun
  • Anschlagsplanplan for the attacknoun

Word lists with this word