blockbuster

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Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈblɒkˌbʌstə(ɹ)/

Noun

blockbuster (plural blockbusters)

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. (slang) Anything very large or powerful; a whopper.
   • 1998, Yves Beauchemin, The Second Fiddle (page 383)

     “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?"

4. A large firework of the firecracker type; an M-80 (explosive).
5. (US) One who engages in blockbusting technique encouraging people to sell property.
   • 2016, Sabiyha Prince, African Americans and Gentrification in Washington, D.C. (page 106)

     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.

Translations

• German: Luftmine , Minenbombe, Wohnblockknacker
• Russian: фуга́сная бо́мба
• Spanish: bombazo

Translations

• French: blockbuster
• German: Blockbuster, Verkaufsschlager, Kassenknüller, Knüller, Hit, Kassenschlager, Renner, Bestseller (book), Straßenfeger (TV movie, dated)
• Italian: successo commerciale
• Portuguese: arrasa-quarteirão
• Russian: блокба́стер
• Spanish: taquillazo, bombazo

Related terms

• blockbust (verb form)
• block
• bust

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