Definition of the word firebomb

The term "firebomb" originated during World War II as a military tactic used by Allied forces. It described a type of improvised incendiary device that consisted of a bottle or other container filled with combustible materials such as gasoline, kerosene, or accelerants. These devices were thrown as projectiles at enemy targets, including buildings, vehicles, and military installations. The main purpose of firebombs, as the name implies, was to start fires, which could lead to significant damage and destruction. They were particularly effective against city centers, where wooden and other highly flammable structures were common. Firebombs caused widespread destruction in several cities during the war, including Tokyo, Dresden, and Hamburg. The term "firebomb" came into popular use during this time, as it offered a more descriptive and less inflammatory alternative to the previously used term "incentiary bomb." This new terminology was seen as less inflammatory, as it separated the act of starting a fire from the more extreme force necessary to actually explode a bomb. Since those days, the term "firebomb" has also been applied to the improvised use of similar devices in acts of civil unrest, arson, or terrorism, particularly in situations where large-scale, indiscriminate destruction is a desired outcome.