To bombard means to attack relentlessly with bombs, missiles, or artillery fire. During World War II, cities were bombarded from the air, with explosions raining down for hours. Naval ships bombard coastal targets by firing their heavy guns repeatedly.

The word also means to overwhelm someone with too much of something, especially questions or information. When you bombard your teacher with questions after class, you're firing them so rapidly she can barely answer one before the next arrives. Your parents might feel bombarded by requests when you ask for a snack, then a new game, then permission to stay up late, all within five minutes.

Scientists use the term too: they bombard atoms with particles in laboratories to split them apart and study what's inside. Notice how the word always suggests an intense, repeated attack, whether with actual explosives, constant questions, or streams of information. When something bombards you, it keeps coming and coming, giving you no chance to catch your breath.