What does howitzer mean?
A howitzer is a type of artillery weapon with a relatively short barrel, designed to fire shells along a high trajectory. This firing arc allows it to strike targets that are concealed behind hills, buildings, or other obstacles, and it is especially useful in field artillery and indirect fire. Modern howitzers may be towed by vehicles or mounted on self-propelled chassis, enabling them to move and fire while supporting advancing troops. The word is also used figuratively for an unexpectedly forceful or disruptive event. Although a howitzer is often compared with a cannon, the shorter barrel and steeper firing angle are its defining characteristics. It is likewise distinct from a mortar, which is generally smaller and designed to launch shells at an even more pronounced high arc.
nounA short-barreled artillery gun designed to fire shells at a high angle, allowing it to strike targets behind obstacles or from a greater distance. Modern howitzers are commonly mounted in vehicles or used as field artillery.
- A short-barreled artillery gun that fires shells at a high angle, used to strike targets over obstacles or at long range.
"The battery fired a single shell from its howitzer, sending it over the ridge and toward the distant valley."
"The soldiers moved the howitzer into position before the dawn raid."
"The museum displays a captured howitzer beside photographs of its wartime service."
The standard plural adds -s and refers to multiple artillery weapons or units of this type.
"Several howitzers were positioned along the front line."
A howitzer turns the sky into a firing arc, sending shells over hills and walls before they fall steeply onto the target.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does howitzer come from?
The English word entered usage in the early 19th century from German Haubitze. German borrowed the term from Czech houbnice, which is commonly associated with the Czech verb houpat, meaning to swing or rock, reflecting the swinging motion of indirect-fire weapons. Related forms appear in Czech and Slovak as houbnice and houblnice, respectively, while the German form became the direct source for English.
How howitzer is actually used
In modern military usage, a howitzer is distinguished from a cannon by its shorter barrel and high-angle fire, though the terms can overlap in broader descriptions of artillery. The word is usually used for a large field weapon, and its sound may suggest a sudden, heavy impact or an unmistakably forceful event when used figuratively.
Easily confused with howitzer
A cannon generally has a longer barrel and is associated with a flatter, more direct trajectory, whereas a howitzer has a shorter barrel and fires at a higher angle.
A mortar is typically a smaller, portable weapon that launches shells with a very high arc, while a howitzer is generally a larger artillery piece designed to fire longer-range shells.