STRAFE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does strafe mean? 

• STRAFE (noun)
  The noun STRAFE has 1 sense:

1. an attack of machine-gun fire or cannon fire from a low flying airplane

  Familiarity information: STRAFE used as a noun is very rare.

• STRAFE (verb)
  The verb STRAFE has 1 sense:

1. attack with machine guns or cannon fire from a low-flying plane

  Familiarity information: STRAFE used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• STRAFE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An attack of machine-gun fire or cannon fire from a low flying airplane

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

the next morning they carried out a strafe of enemy airfields

Hypernyms ("strafe" is a kind of...):

attack; onrush; onset; onslaught ((military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons))

Derivation:

strafe (attack with machine guns or cannon fire from a low-flying plane)

• STRAFE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they strafe    ... he / she / it strafes   
Past simple: strafed   
Past participle: strafed   
-ing form: strafing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Attack with machine guns or cannon fire from a low-flying plane

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Context example:

civilians were strafed in an effort to force the country's surrender

Hypernyms (to "strafe" is one way to...):

assail; attack (launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

strafe (an attack of machine-gun fire or cannon fire from a low flying airplane)

strafer (a combat pilot who strafes the enemy)