torpedo: Meaning and Definition of

tor•pe•do

1. a self-propelled, cigar-shaped missile containing explosives and often equipped with a homing device, launched from a submarine or other warship, for destroying surface vessels or other submarines.
2. any of various submarine explosive devices for destroying hostile ships, as a mine.
3. a cartridge of gunpowder, dynamite, or the like, exploded in an oil well to facilitate the extraction of oil from the well.
4. a detonating device fastened to the top of a rail so as to be exploded by the pressure of a locomotive or car, thus giving an audible signal to members of a train crew.
5. any of various other explosive devices, as a firework that consists of an explosive wrapped up with gravel in a piece of tissue paper and that detonates when thrown forcibly on the ground or against a hard surface.
6. Also called torpe&prim;do fish&sec;. an electric ray, esp. Torpedo nobiliana, of the Atlantic Ocean.
7. an electric catfish, Malapterurus electricus, inhabiting waters of tropical central Africa and the Nile valley.
8. a hero sandwich.
9. a gangster hired as a murderer.

1. to attack, hit, damage, or destroy with torpedoes.
2. to explode a torpedo in (an oil well) to facilitate the extraction of oil.
3. to undermine, ruin, or destroy: He torpedoed our plans.

1. to attack, damage, or sink a ship with torpedoes.