砲|ほうhou[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. noun, noun (suffix)gun; cannon; artillery; ordnance

• Synonym火砲かほうWrittenWritten/formal prose: a general term for cannons and artillery. 「砲」 is a single character used mostly as a compound element, as in 「砲撃」.
• Synonym大砲たいほうNeutralThe everyday word for a cannon and by far the most common; also used figuratively for a powerful baseball hitter. 「砲」 mostly appears within compounds.
• Related大筒おおづつWrittenAn old name for the cannons of earlier times; not used in everyday modern speech — say 「大砲」. Also a large bamboo tube for storing sake or arranging flowers.

In everyday use say 「大砲」; for a written, general term use 「火砲」; 「砲」 itself serves mainly in compounds like 「砲弾」 and 「砲台」; 「大筒」 is an old-fashioned name.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. （ホウ）火器かきの中なかで弾丸だんがんを発射はっしゃして相手あいてを殺傷さっしょう、破壊はかいする大型おおがたの武器ぶきの総称そうしょう。
2. （ホウ、パオ）シャンチーの駒こまの一ひとつ。車くるまと同様どうよう縦横じゅうおうに何なんマスでも動うごけるが、相手あいての駒こまを取とる時ときは駒こまを一ひとつ飛び越とびこえて動うごく。紅くれない方かたは炮。