Definition of the word bunker

The word "bunker" originated in the 17th century from the Dutch word "bolwerk", meaning "refuge" or "stronghold". The Dutch built bunkers as fortifications during the Eighty Years' War, and the term was later adopted into English. Initially, a bunker referred to a protected trench or underground shelter for soldiers during siege warfare. Later, the term expanded to describe any protected underground space, such as a submarine's compartment, an aircraft's bomb bay, or even a nuclear fallout shelter. Today, the term "bunker" encompasses a wide range of meanings, from military bunkers to financial market trading rooms (a "bunker" is a safe and secure place to trade). Whatever the context, the word "bunker" always connotes a sense of safety, protection, and refuge from external threats.