What does bomblet mean?
A bomblet is a small explosive device, most commonly one of the many submunitions packed inside a larger cluster bomb or missile. When the parent weapon opens or detonates, it scatters dozens or hundreds of these bomblets across a wide area, allowing a single strike to blanket a broad zone. The term is chiefly used in military, journalistic, and legal contexts, particularly in reporting on armed conflict and in international arms-control agreements such as the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Because a significant proportion of bomblets often fail to explode on impact, they leave behind unexploded remnants that maim civilians long after fighting ends — a fact that has made the word a byword for the lingering human cost of certain modern weapons. The word carries strongly negative connotations and appears rarely outside serious discussion of warfare and disarmament.
nounA small bomb, typically one of many released from a cluster bomb or larger munition.
- A small explosive submunition carried inside a cluster bomb or missile and dispersed over a wide area.
- More generally, any small bomb.
"Unexploded bomblets scattered across the farmland posed a danger for years after the conflict ended."
"The aircraft released its payload, scattering hundreds of bomblets over the target area."
"Demining teams worked slowly through the field, neutralizing each unexploded bomblet they found."
Standard plural; used when referring to multiple submunitions from a single dispersal event or stockpile.
"The strike scattered thousands of bomblets across the valley."
One cluster bomb can scatter hundreds of bomblets — and many of them fail to explode, turning battlefields into minefields for decades.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bomblet
Bomblet derives from 'bomb', a word English borrowed in the late 17th century from French 'bombe', which in turn traces back to Greek 'bomberos', meaning a booming or humming sound. The diminutive suffix '-let' (as in 'piglet' or 'leaflet') was added to denote a smaller version of the parent weapon, with the term emerging as cluster munitions developed in the 20th century. Its closest relatives are other derivatives of the same Greek root, including 'bombard', 'bombshell', and 'bombast'.
How bomblet is actually used
Bomblet is primarily a military and technical term, common in journalism about armed conflict and in discussions of arms-control treaties such as the Convention on Cluster Munitions. It carries strongly negative connotations because of the humanitarian harm associated with unexploded submunitions.
Easily confused with bomblet
A bomb is a complete explosive device, whereas a bomblet is specifically a small subunit released in large numbers from a parent cluster munition.