1. Armament consisting of a long cylindrical self-propelled underwater projectile that detonates on contact with a target
   "The submarine launched a torpedo at the enemy vessel"
    
2. Any sluggish bottom-dwelling ray of the order Torpediniformes having a rounded body and electric organs on each side of the head capable of emitting strong electric discharges
   "Divers are cautioned to avoid touching torpedoes to prevent painful shocks";
   - electric ray, crampfish, numbfish
    
3. A small explosive device that is placed on a railway track and fires when a train runs over it; the sound of the explosion warns the engineer of danger ahead
   "Railway workers placed torpedoes on the tracks to alert the oncoming train of track maintenance"
    
4. A small firework that consists of a percussion cap and some gravel wrapped in paper; explodes when thrown forcefully against a hard surface
   "Children threw torpedoes on the pavement, creating small pops and sparks"
    
5. An explosive device that is set off in an oil well (or a gas well) to start or to increase the flow of oil (or gas)
   "The engineers used a torpedo to stimulate production in the underperforming oil well"
    
6. [US] A large sandwich made of a long crusty roll split lengthwise and filled with meats and cheese (and tomato and onion and lettuce and condiments); different names are used in different sections of the United States
   "He ordered a classic Italian torpedo with all the toppings";
   - bomber [US, informal], grinder [US, informal], hero [N. Amer], hero sandwich [N. Amer], hoagie [N. Amer], hoagy [N. Amer], Cuban sandwich [N. Amer], Italian sandwich [N. Amer], poor boy [N. Amer], sub [N. Amer, informal], submarine [N. Amer], submarine sandwich [N. Amer], wedge [US, informal], zep [N. Amer]
    
7. A professional killer who uses a gun
   "The torpedo was hired by the crime syndicate";
   - gunslinger, hired gun, gun, gun for hire [informal], triggerman, shooter

1. Attack or hit with torpedoes
   "The submarine torpedoed the enemy warship"
    
2. Destroy, ruin or sabotage something
   "The scandal torpedoed his political career"

Derived forms: torpedoes, torpedoed, torpedoing

Type of: alarm, alarum [archaic], alert, armament, assail, attack, explosive device, firework, liquidator, manslayer [archaic], murderer, pyrotechnic, ray, sandwich, sarnie [Brit, informal], warning signal

Part of: family Torpedinidae, Torpedinidae

Encyclopedia: Torpedo, Pennsylvania