blockbuster

Meaning

  1. A high-explosive bomb used for the purposes of demolishing extensive areas, such as a city block.
  2. (informal) Something, such as a film or book, that sustains exceptional and widespread popularity and achieves enormous sales, as opposed to a box office bomb.
  3. (informal) 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
  4. (slang) Anything very large or powerful; a whopper.
  5. A large firework of the firecracker type; an M-80.
  6. (US) One who engages in blockbusting (technique encouraging people to sell property).

Frequency

23k
Pronounced as (IPA)
/ˈblɒkˌbʌs.tə(ɹ)/
Etymology

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

Notes

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