1. a short cannon that fires shells at a high angle of elevation, typically used in artillery.
Usage: military term; commonly used in warfare and military contexts

Examples

• The artillery unit deployed several howitzers to support the infantry advance.
• A howitzer can fire projectiles over obstacles that would block a direct-fire weapon.
• The 155mm howitzer is one of the most widely used field guns in modern armies.
• Soldiers trained extensively on operating the howitzer before deployment.
• The howitzer's high-angle fire made it effective for hitting targets behind hills.