torpedo meaning, definition, synonyms

Torpedo has several very different meanings. It can refer to a submarine weapon, but it can also mean a type of sandwich, a kind of electric ray, or several older specialized uses.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Pronunciation

AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).

Accent: General American English

IPA: /tɔrˈpiˌdoʊ/

Easy pronunciation: tor-PEE-doh (approximate spelling).

Stress: Stress the second syllable.

Primary sense: a self-propelled underwater weapon.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Torpedo Meaning

a self-propelled underwater weapon

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a long cylindrical weapon that moves through water and explodes when it hits a target

Example: The submarine fired a torpedo at the ship.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Other Meanings of Torpedo

Meaning 2

a long sandwich

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a large sandwich made on a long crusty roll and filled with meats, cheese, and vegetables

Example: I ordered a torpedo with ham and provolone for lunch.

Synonyms for this meaning:

bomber — Used in some U.S. regions for a sandwich like a sub.
grinder — Regional name for a long sandwich.
hero — Regional name for a long sandwich.
hero sandwich — Direct synonym for this sandwich sense.
hoagie — Common regional name for a long sandwich.
hoagy — Variant spelling used for the sandwich sense.
poor boy — Regional sandwich term, especially in Louisiana.
sub — Common short form for this sandwich.
submarine — Shortened regional sandwich name.
submarine sandwich — Direct synonym for the sandwich sense.
wedge — Regional sandwich name in some areas.
zep — Regional sandwich term, especially in Connecticut.
cuban sandwich — Can be a similar sandwich type, but not a perfect universal substitute.
italian sandwich — Can refer to a similar style of sandwich, but usage varies.

Meaning 3

a hired killer

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a person hired to commit murder, especially for a criminal organization

Example: Police arrested the torpedo who had been sent to threaten the witness.

Synonyms for this meaning:

gunman — Works as a general term for an armed killer.
hired gun — Common phrase for a hired killer or enforcer.
hit man — Direct synonym for a hired killer.
hitman — Common spelling variant of hit man.
shooter — Can mean an armed killer in context.
triggerman — Used for a person who carries out a killing.
gunslinger — Can overlap in criminal contexts, but often suggests an old-style gunfighter.
gun for hire — Describes the role, though less natural as a direct substitute.
gun — Too broad on its own; only works in some slangy contexts.

Meaning 4

an electric ray

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a bottom-dwelling ray with electric organs that can give a strong shock

Example: We saw a torpedo lying partly buried in the sand.

Synonyms for this meaning:

electric ray — Direct synonym for the animal sense.
crampfish — Older or regional name for an electric ray.
numbfish — Another name for this kind of ray.

Meaning 5

a well explosive

Part of speech: noun

Definition: an explosive device used in an oil or gas well to increase flow

Example: The crew lowered a torpedo into the well to improve production.

Meaning 6

a railroad warning explosive

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a small explosive device placed on a railroad track that warns of danger when a train runs over it

Example: The engineer heard a torpedo explode on the track and slowed the train immediately.

Meaning 7

a small throw firework

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a small firework that bursts when thrown against a hard surface

Example: The kids threw torpedoes at the pavement and ran back laughing.

Meaning 8

to strike with torpedoes

Part of speech: verb

Definition: attack or hit with torpedoes

Example: The patrol boat was torpedoed during the attack.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Torpedo Synonyms

Similar Meaning

sub
submarine
hoagie
hero
grinder
bomber

Sandwich sense

bomber
cuban sandwich
grinder
hero
hero sandwich
hoagie
hoagy
italian sandwich
poor boy
sub
submarine
submarine sandwich
wedge
zep

Hired killer sense

gun
gun for hire
gunman
gunslinger
hired gun
hit man
hitman
shooter
triggerman

Electric ray sense

crampfish
electric ray
numbfish

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Common Mistakes

People may confuse the sandwich sense with the weapon sense, but they are unrelated.
The word torpedo can also be a verb, so the noun meanings should not be mixed with the action sense.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does torpedo mean in everyday English?

Most often, torpedo means a self-propelled underwater weapon. In some U.S. regions, it can also mean a long sandwich, like a sub or hoagie.

Is a torpedo the same as a submarine?

No. A torpedo is a weapon fired from a submarine or ship, not the submarine itself.

What is another word for torpedo as a sandwich?

Depending on the region, people may say sub, hoagie, hero, grinder, or submarine sandwich.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.