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 Kalashnikov assault rifle is the standard-issue weapon for all military and law-enforcement branches in Iran.

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating how an assault rifle went missing from — and potentially fell out of — the trunk of a squad car in South L.A.

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

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