Blockbusterとは 意味・読み方・使い方

語源

From block +‎ buster, referring originally to aerial bombs capable of destroying a whole block of buildings.

発音

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA: /ˈblɒkˌbʌs.tə(ɹ)/
• (General American) IPA: /ˈblɑkˌbʌs.tɚ/

名詞

blockbuster (plural blockbusters)

1. A high-explosive bomb used for the purposes of demolishing extensive areas, such as a city block.
2. (informal) Something, such as a film or book, that sustains exceptional and widespread popularity and achieves enormous sales, as opposed to a box office bomb.
3. (informal) Something, especially an event or a film, book or other creative work, that is intended to achieve high sales (perhaps indicated by large budgets or high advertising spending) or that is conceived on a large or epic scale
   • 1961, “Ives”, in Twentieth Century Music In The Western Hemisphere‎, J. B. Lippincott, page 146:

     "General William Booth Enters into Heaven" is lusty, a blockbuster conception.

   • 1994, “Drama”, in Whitaker's Almanack, 1994‎, page 1135:

     The report noted that 'an increasing public appetite for large "blockbuster" musicals is a firmly established feature of London’s West End theatre scene'.

4. (slang) Anything very large or powerful; a whopper.
   • 1998, Yves Beauchemin, The Second Fiddle, page 383:

     “How nice," she responded to his invitation, “but I've got a blockbuster of a headache. I'm paying for last night. Call me tomorrow, will you?"

   • 2020, Merlin Sheldrake, Entangled Life, page 211:

     Many—such as plants' relationships with mycorrhizal fungi—have been blockbuster moments in the history of life, with world-changing consequences.

   • 2021 July 21, Neil Irwin, “Is the U.S. Economy Too Hot or Too Cold? Yes.”, in The New York Times‎, →ISSN, archived from the original on 23 July 2021:

     In the mid-2021 economy, employers are offering higher pay to attract scarce workers; airports and car lots are bustling; and a G.D.P. report due out next week will probably show blockbuster growth.

   • 2025 July 28, Devan Cole, John Fritze, Priscilla Alvarez, “New documents show how passport and Social Security rules would change to enforce Trump’s birthright citizenship order”, in CNN‎:

     The trove of documents from half a dozen federal agencies in recent days are a direct result of a blockbuster Supreme Court decision last month that allowed the administration to develop plans for ending birthright citizenship – even though the effort has once again been placed on hold.

5. A large firework of the firecracker type; an M-80.
6. (US) One who engages in blockbusting (technique encouraging people to sell property).
   • 2016, Sabiyha Prince, African Americans and Gentrification in Washington, D.C., page 106:

     Whereas White residents fell prey to blockbusters who stoked fears of invading Negroes and plummeting housing values during the 1950s, African Americans confronted more-than-imagined difficulties in neighborhoods after the 1968 riots.

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