What does strafed mean?
Strafed is the past tense and past participle of strafe, a verb meaning to attack a target with gunfire. It most commonly describes an aircraft firing at troops, vehicles, or positions on the ground, although it can also describe rapid fire from another moving military position. The verb became established during the early twentieth century as aviation and military jargon, especially in accounts of the First World War. Today it retains a strongly military association, but writers may use it more broadly when describing an intense barrage of shots. In figurative or informal contexts, “strafed” can evoke relentless attack or criticism, though such usage is less formal than the literal military sense. The word is understood in both British and American English.
verbTo attack ground troops, vehicles, or other targets with gunfire from an aircraft, or to fire rapidly from a moving position. The form shown is the past tense and past participle.
- To attack targets with gunfire from an aircraft or from a moving military position.
"The fighter returned to strafe the retreating tanks."
"The pilot strafed the trench before climbing away."
"The soldiers heard machine guns strafing the road ahead."
A word born of aviation and military jargon, “strafed” became vivid wartime reporting during the First World War.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does strafed come from?
The word entered English in the early twentieth century in the sense of firing at a target from an aircraft. Its deeper origin is disputed, although it is commonly linked to German Strafen, meaning “to punish,” which in turn is related to strafe, “punishment.” The military sense developed during the First World War and was subsequently adopted more broadly.
Related word forms
How strafed is actually used
The word is chiefly military and historical in English. In modern informal use, it can also refer to rapid gunfire directed at a target.
Easily confused with strafed
Strayed means wandered away from a route or group, whereas strafed means attacked with gunfire.