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Definition of longbow

longbow

/ˈlɔːŋ.boʊ/
long · bow
Plural:longbows
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longbow Lexical Profile

longbow Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A tall, powerful wooden bow drawn by hand, typically roughly equal in height to the archer and used historically in medieval Europe and in modern traditional archery.

Example

"At the historical reenactment festival, a skilled artisan demonstrated how a traditional yew longbow is crafted and strung."

• Nearby Words

long-nosed snake
longan
longboard
longbow
longclaw
longear sunfish
longevity

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English as a compound of 'long' and 'bow', the term emerged in the 14th century to distinguish the tall, hand-drawn wooden bow—famously crafted from yew and used by English and Welsh archers—from the mechanical crossbow.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Longbow. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/longbow
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