Definition of howitzer Howitzer

/hawˈʌtsɚ/ - [hawutser] - how•itz•er

We found 10 definitions of howitzer from 7 different sources.

What does howitzer mean?

WordNet

Noun
howitzer - a muzzle-loading high-angle gun with a short barrel that fires shells at high elevations for a short range
		mortar, trench mortar

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Wiktionary

howitzer (Noun)
A cannon that combines certain characteristics of guns and mortars. The howitzer delivers projectiles with medium velocities, either by low or high trajectories. JP 1-02.
howitzer (Noun)
Normally a cannon with a tube length of 20 to 30 calibers; however, the tube length can exceed 30 calibers and still be considered a howitzer when the high angle fire zoning solution permits range overlap between charges. JP 1-02. See also gun; mortar.
howitzer (Noun)
A powerfully hit shot.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

howitzer (n.)
A gun so short that the projectile, which was hollow, could be put in its place by hand; a kind of mortar.
howitzer (n.)
A short, light, largebore cannon, usually having a chamber of smaller diameter than the rest of the bore, and intended to throw large projectiles with comparatively small charges.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

howitzer
how′its-ėr, n. a short, light cannon, used for throwing shells. [Ger. haubitze, orig. hauffnitz—Bohem. haufnice, a sling.]

Sailor's Word-BookThe Sailor's Word-Book ⛵

howitzer
A piece of ordnance specially designed for the horizontal firing of shells, being shorter and much lighter than any gun of the same calibre. The rifled gun, however, throwing a shell of the same capacity from a smaller bore, and with much greater power, is superseding it for general purposes.

Military DictionaryMilitary Dictionary and Gazetteer 💥

howitzer
(derived by Grimm and Littré from the Bohemian haufnice, “catapult”). A short, light cannon, having a chamber intended to throw large projectiles with comparatively small charges. A howitzer is of larger caliber than a gun of like weight; is mounted in a similar manner, and is used for shorter ranges. It is said to have been first introduced by the Dutch in the early part of the 17th century, and soon afterward came into almost general use. The Russians in 1777 introduced the licorne, an improved howitzer. Howitzers project larger shells than guns with which they are associated; are well adapted for ricochet fire, the destruction of field-works, breaking down palisades, and setting fire to buildings; and the projectiles used are shells, spherical-case, canister, grape, and carcasses. Howitzers, except for siege and mountain service, are no longer manufactured in the United States, as our present guns are equally suitable for shell-firing in field or garrison service. The ones now in use in the U. S. service are 8-inch and 24-pounder mountain howitzers. The former is used for siege purposes, and for the defense of ditches in fortifications. The 24-pounder flank defense howitzer, now out of use, was formerly employed for this purpose. The 8-inch howitzer has, strictly speaking, no chamber; the bore is, however, terminated by a semi-ellipsoid, the axis being 6 inches in length. This piece weighs 2600 pounds, and the shell (not filled) 45 pounds. The mountain howitzer (12-pounder) is a small, light, bronze piece about 3 feet long, weighing 220 pounds, capable of being easily removed from its carriage, and transported upon the back of a mule. The shell weighs, when strapped and charged, 9.35 pounds, and the maximum range of the piece is about 1000 yards. There are two distinct kinds of carriage used with it, one similar to the carriage of the ordinary field-piece, but smaller and lighter, the other having four wheels and called the prairie carriage. This piece has been extensively employed in our numerous Indian wars upon the plains and mountains of the West, and has done good service.