weapon

American  

[wep-uhn] / ˈwɛp ən /

noun

• weapons
  plural

1. any instrument or device for use in attack or defense in combat, fighting, or war, as a sword, rifle, or cannon.

2. anything used against an opponent, adversary, or victim.

   the deadly weapon of satire.

3. Zoology. any part or organ serving for attack or defense, as claws, horns, teeth, or stings.

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verb (used with object)

1. to supply or equip with a weapon or weapons.

   to weapon aircraft with heat-seeking missiles.

weapon British  

/ ˈwɛpən /

noun

1. an object or instrument used in fighting

2. anything that serves to outwit or get the better of an opponent

   his power of speech was his best weapon

3. any part of an animal that is used to defend itself, to attack prey, etc, such as claws, teeth, horns, or a sting

4. a slang word for penis

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• superweapon
  noun
• outweaponed
  adjective
• unweaponed
  adjective
• weaponed
  adjective
• weaponless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• weapons
  plural

Etymology

Origin of weapon

First recorded before 900; Middle English wepen, Old English wǣpen; cognate with German Waffe, Old Norse vāpn, Gothic wēpna (plural)

Explanation

A weapon is something used to hurt someone. Soldiers use weapons like guns and even sometimes use "weapons of mass destruction" — like bombs. In school, the only weapon you should use is a spitball. A solider engaging in battle needs a weapon, as does a police officer defending herself against a violent attacker. Some weapons are specially designed for killing or injuring, such as guns and crossbows, while in other cases an ordinary object, like a stick, can be used as a weapon. The Old English root is wæpen, "instrument of fighting or defense." The spelling is tricky, and most people just have to memorize the ea in weapon.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

weapon weapons

Their physical development points to long-term practice involving demanding movements such as drawing a bowstring or controlling a weapon.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 30, 2026

This season, he’s remained atop the standings despite losing 50% of his opportunities to use his best weapon.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 29, 2026

It snatches at our attention with no more finesse than a losing fighter fumbling for a weapon.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026

"Every weapon carried, every tunnel still worked on, and every convoy still obstructed sets the process back and hands an argument to those who want to resume war," he added.

From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026

Reluctantly, the younger man holstered his weapon and followed his partner out of the room.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

But tech has some powerful weapons to deploy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

The SDOB, typically produced twice monthly, outlines the worldwide availability of U.S. warships, aircraft, personnel, and weapons systems.

From Slate ● Aug. 31, 2026

Army reservists in Switzerland are allowed to keep their weapons, but not ammunition, at home.

From Barron's ● Aug. 30, 2026

"Princess Ita was a young woman aged between 28 and 34 with strong upper-body muscle attachments, suggesting she habitually used weapons like maces or daggers," said Hashesh.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 30, 2026

They snatched up their weapons and rushed to the front of the barn, where they discovered the door was locked!

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson

Related Words

• ammunition
• bomb
• cannon
• firearm
• gun
• knife
• machete
• machine gun
• missile
• nerve gas
• pistol
• revolver
• rifle
• shotgun
• sword
• tear gas