assault rifle

American  

noun

1. a military rifle capable of both automatic and semiautomatic fire, utilizing an intermediate-power cartridge.

2. a nonmilitary weapon modeled on the military assault rifle, usually modified to allow only semiautomatic fire.

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assault rifle British  

noun

1. a semiautomatic firearm with additional features such as a large magazine, a bayonet fitting, etc

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Etymology

Origin of assault rifle

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Sukram Ursa, 21, who surrendered in December, said he had swapped his assault rifle for a government-gifted mobile phone.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

The Sheriff’s Department asked the public to help find the assault rifle and identified the route that the deputies traveled Saturday night in hopes of locating the weapon.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 13, 2025

The Uvalde gunman used an assault rifle; Herrera is known as the AK Guy.

From Slate • May 28, 2024

Eyal Ben-Ari tugged at the heavy assault rifle hanging over his shoulder as he tiptoed out of his pink house at sunrise, hoping not to wake his wife or six children.

From New York Times • May 23, 2024

A young man in a beret and military fatigues knelt on one knee in the grass, holding a Russian assault rifle, watching us with mild interest.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston