Contextualizebeta

blockbuster

noun
/ˈblɒkˌbʌs.tə(ɹ)/UK/ˈblɑkˌbʌs.tɚ/US

Etymology

From block + buster, referring originally to aerial bombs capable of destroying a whole block of buildings.

  1. derived from apostema
  2. derived from Buste
  3. compounded as blockbuster — “block + buster”

Definitions

  1. A high-explosive bomb used for the purposes of demolishing extensive areas, such as a…

    A high-explosive bomb used for the purposes of demolishing extensive areas, such as a city block.

  2. Something, such as a film or book, that sustains exceptional and widespread popularity…

    Something, such as a film or book, that sustains exceptional and widespread popularity and achieves enormous sales, as opposed to a box office bomb.

    • He was watching the blockbuster film series Harry Potter.

  3. Something, especially an event or a film, book or other creative work, that is intended…

    Something, especially an event or a film, book or other creative work, that is intended to achieve high sales (perhaps indicated by large budgets or high advertising spending) or that is conceived on a large or epic scale

    • "General William Booth Enters into Heaven" is lusty, a blockbuster conception.
    • The report noted that 'an increasing public appetite for large "blockbuster" musicals is a firmly established feature of London’s West End theatre scene'.
  4. ›+ 3 more definitions

    1. Anything very large or powerful

      Anything very large or powerful; a whopper.

      • “How nice," she responded to his invitation, “but I've got a blockbuster of a headache. I'm paying for last night. Call me tomorrow, will you?"
      • Many—such as plants' relationships with mycorrhizal fungi—have been blockbuster moments in the history of life, with world-changing consequences.
      • In the mid-2021 economy, employers are offering higher pay to attract scarce workers; airports and car lots are bustling; and a G.D.P. report due out next week will probably show blockbuster growth.

    2. A large firework of the firecracker type

      A large firework of the firecracker type; an M-80.

    3. One who engages in blockbusting (technique encouraging people to sell property).

      • Whereas White residents fell prey to blockbusters who stoked fears of invading Negroes and plummeting housing values during the 1950s, African Americans confronted more-than-imagined difficulties in neighborhoods after the 1968 riots.

The neighborhood

Derived

blockbuster drug, blockbusterish, blockbusterize, bonkbuster, knockbuster, megablockbuster, mockbuster, nonblockbuster, schlockbuster

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for blockbuster. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA