AR-15
AmericanEtymology
Origin of AR-15
First recorded in 1960–65; shortening of ArmaLite Rifle, not of assault rifle ( def. ), as commonly thought
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.
He is co-author of the book "American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15."
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026
The Georgia jury was not so forgiving of a parent who gave an AR-15 to a 14-year-old child.
From Slate • Mar. 5, 2026
Officials accuse him of allowing his son to possess an AR-15 style rifle.
From BBC • Sep. 8, 2024
An AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, a 40-caliber handgun and ammunition were found at the scene.
From Seattle Times • May 2, 2024
The gun rack, set between two of the eight windows, held a Remington shotgun, a Colt AR-15 assault rifle, a tear-gas gun, and many rounds of ammunition.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
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.
