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firearm

American  
[fahyuhr-ahrm] / ˈfaɪərˌɑrm /

noun

  1. a small arms arm weapon, as a rifle or pistol, from which a projectile is fired by gunpowder.

firearm British  
/ ˈfaɪərˌɑːm /

noun

  1. a weapon, esp a portable gun or pistol, from which a projectile can be discharged by an explosion caused by igniting gunpowder, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • firearmed adjective

Etymology

Origin of firearm

First recorded in 1640–50; fire + arm 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They cut out classes on — multiple classes on use of force, multiple classes on how to use their firearms safely.

From Salon

Diaz is also prohibited from possessing animals for five years, and from possessing firearms for 10 years, according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

From Los Angeles Times

The Trinidadian prime minister praised the US approach and credited it with bringing down her country's homicide rate by helping cut the flow of firearms from Venezuela.

From Barron's

Alcalá, 64 years old, is serving a nearly 22-year sentence after pleading guilty in 2023 to providing material support, including firearms, to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, a former rebel group.

From The Wall Street Journal

The former trainer claimed ICE has cut 240 hours of lessons from a 584-hour program, which he said meant dispensing with classes about firearm safety, lawful arrests, proper detention and the limits to officers’ authority.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.