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Molotov cocktail

noun

a crude incendiary grenade consisting of a bottle filled with a flammable liquid and a wick that is ignited before throwing: used originally for setting fire to enemy tanks during the Spanish Civil War.

Molotov cocktail

/ ˈ��ɒ��əˌ��ɒ�� /

noun

an elementary incendiary weapon, usually a bottle of petrol with a short-delay fuse or wick; petrol bomb

Molotov cocktail

An incendiary bomb made from a breakable container, such as a bottle, filled with flammable liquid and provided with a rag wick. Used by the Soviets against the invading German armies in World War II , these bombs were nicknamed after V. M. Molotov, a foreign minister of the Soviet Union at that time.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Molotov cocktail¹

First recorded in 1935–40; named after V. M. Molotov

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Molotov cocktail¹

C20: named after V. M. Molotov

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

When he was in his 20s, his uncle was killed in front of him by a co-worker who set him on fire with a Molotov cocktail.

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In recent weeks, cars have been set ablaze with Molotov cocktails, shot with guns and defaced with spray-paint.

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His attack on the police station began when he threw a Molotov cocktail at a police van.

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Teslas have been set ablaze with Molotov cocktails, riddled with bullets and defaced with swastikas.

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Adam Matthew Lansky, 41, was charged with possession of a destructive device after Molotov cocktails were thrown at a Tesla dealership in Salem, Oregon.

From

Molotov molt

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