Meaning

(military) A hardened shelter, often partly buried or fully underground, designed to protect the inhabitants from falling bombs or other attacks..

Definitions by Sense

1. (military) A hardened shelter, often partly buried or fully underground, designed to protect the inhabitants from falling bombs or other attacks.
2. (nautical) A compartment for storing coal for the ship's boilers; or a tank for storing fuel oil for the ship's engines.
3. (rail transport) The coal compartment on a tank engine; it can also refer to that on a tender engine.
4. Ellipsis of bunker oil (usually plural).
5. A hazard on a golf course consisting of a sand-filled hollow.
6. An obstacle used to block an opposing player's view and field of fire.
7. (British, chiefly historical) A large bin or container for storing coal, often built outdoors in the yard of a house.
8. A sort of box or chest, as in a window, the lid of which serves as a seat.

Example Sentences

The military built a bunker to help evacuate the citizens safely from the bombings.

Among tank engines, the 0-6-2 wheel arrangement was by far the most numerous, there being nearly 450 of this arrangement, which offers the advantage of good power and adhesive weight, coupled with adequate tank and bunker capacity, within a limited compass.

The bunkers of these engines hold enough coal for one round journey of 120½ miles, and water is taken in each direction at Hexham.

The superstructure of the tender is modified by the removal of the side raves, and compartments for the fire-irons are formed on each side of the coal bunker.

The vessel is taking on bunkers.

[Letter X, page 204] At length I came within sight of them, three in number, where they sat cosily niched, into what you might call a bunker, a little sand-pit, dry and snug, and surrounded by its banks, and a screen of whins in full bloom. […] [Letter XI, page 223] And are ye in the wont of drawing up wi' all the gangrel bodies that ye meet on the high road, or find cowering in a sand-bunker upon the links?

There used to be a coal bunker at the back of the house - it was demolished years ago.

A winnock-bunker in the eaſt, / There ſat auld Nick, in ſhape o' beaſt; […]

Word Forms

• bunkers
• bunkering
• bunkered

Synonyms for bunker

Related Words

When Should You Use Bunker?

Use bunker when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

Practice This Word

Frequently Asked Questions