shrapnel

UK: /ˈʃræpn^əl/ US: /ˈʃræpnəl/ ,(shrap′nl)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

shrap•nel /ˈʃræpnəl/   n. [uncountable]

1. Military fragments scattered by an exploding artillery shell or mine:
   wounded by shrapnel.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

shrap•nel  (shrap′nl), n. 

1. Military
   • a hollow projectile containing bullets or the like and a bursting charge, designed to explode before reaching the target, and to set free a shower of missiles.
   • such projectiles collectively.
2. Military shell fragments.

• named after Henry Shrapnel (1761–1842), English army officer, its inventor 1800–10

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

shrapnel / ˈʃræpn^əl/ noun

1. a projectile containing a number of small pellets or bullets exploded before impact
2. fragments from this or any other type of shell
3. coins of low value

Etymology: 19th Century: named after H. Shrapnel (1761–1842), English army officer, who invented it