1 letter bomb | Definition of letter bomb

letter bomb

noun

Definition of letter bomb

: an explosive device concealed in an envelope and mailed to the intended victim

Examples of letter bomb in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the following decades, the letter bomb would become common tool of political agitation. Simon R. Gardner, The Atlantic, "98 Years of Mail Fraud," 4 May 2018 Yet the president has expressed frustration that his latest proposals have been drowned out by news coverage of the letter bombs sent to prominent Democrats. Michael C. Bender, WSJ, "Trump Rolls Out New Pledges to Boost GOP Electoral Odds," 27 Oct. 2018 In 1972 the Palestinian terrorist group Black September killed the Israeli diplomat Ami Sachori with a letter bomb sent to Israel’s embassy in London. Simon R. Gardner, The Atlantic, "98 Years of Mail Fraud," 4 May 2018 The letter bomb also attracted fringe groups such as the Japanese doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo. Simon R. Gardner, The Atlantic, "98 Years of Mail Fraud," 4 May 2018 Ivan Duque said Wednesday that police recently briefed him on a purported plot to send a letter bomb to his Bogota offices. Fox News, "Colombia's leading presidential candidate warned of attack," 2 May 2018 In the 1940s, an extremist Zionist group sent letter bombs to senior British officials and to President Harry S. Truman. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, "A Short History of Package Bombs," 13 Mar. 2018 Targets of letter bombs have included: the International Monetary Fund, embassies, John D. Rockefeller, judges, journalists, an anti-Apartheid activist, local police, and prime ministers. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, "A Short History of Package Bombs," 13 Mar. 2018 Beginning in the 20th century—as the mail-delivery system became even more codified and expansive—letter bombs became a tool of political terrorism. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, "A Short History of Package Bombs," 13 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'letter bomb.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of letter bomb

1882, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for letter bomb

letter bomb

noun

English Language Learners Definition of letter bomb

: a bomb that is mailed to someone in a letter or package and that explodes when the letter or package is opened

More from Merriam-Webster on letter bomb

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with letter bomb

Spanish Central: Translation of letter bomb