handgun

[hand-guhn]

See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com

noun

any firearm that can be held and fired with one hand; a revolver or a pistol.

Origin of handgun

First recorded in 1400–50, handgun is from the late Middle English word handgone. See hand, gun¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for handgun

Contemporary Examples

In states that require a background check for every handgun sale, 38 percent fewer women are shot to death by intimate partners.
Use Your Vote to Take Stand Against Domestic Violence
Shannon Watts
October 16, 2014
He qualified as “sharpshooter” on the M1911A1-45 ACP handgun in 1994.
The (Sloppy) Swift-Boating of Michigan Democrat Gary Peters
Tim Mak
October 13, 2014
When the only option for carrying a handgun is to carry concealed, it unfairly discriminates against women and professionals.
A Gun Owner Speaks: My Case for Open Carry
CJ Grisham
June 12, 2014
At 1:52 pm, Platt received a phone call informing him that a handgun had been used in the killing of German.
The Teen Love Letters that Led to a Tragic Murder-Suicide in Florida
Michael Daly
March 30, 2014
“The argument escalated and Frazier pulled out a handgun and shot the host in the arm,” Gillespie said.
Another Fatal Shooting in Las Vegas
John L. Smith
October 22, 2013

Historical Examples

It's difficult to fire a handgun accurately while in motion.
The Status Civilization
Robert Sheckley
The first portable arms were the cannon and handgun, both adjusted to very heavy, straight butt-ends and very difficult to handle.
The Spell of Belgium
Isabel Anderson
He was feeling too cheerful to use his rightful advantage over them, and decided to use a handgun, since they had nothing better.
World Without War
E. G. von Wald
"Ewyo dies if I'm touched," said Revel coolly, pointing the handgun at the squire's belly.
The Buttoned Sky
Geoff St. Reynard
Homer came to his feet and handgun in fist made a dash for the front entrance.
Black Man's Burden
Dallas McCord Reynolds

British Dictionary definitions for handgun

handgun

noun

a firearm that can be held, carried, and fired with one hand, such as a pistol

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

Word Origin and History for handgun

n.

1680s, from hand (n.) + gun (n.).

handgun

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}handgun

Examples from the Web for handgun

Contemporary Examples

In states that require a background check for every handgun sale, 38 percent fewer women are shot to death by intimate partners.

He qualified as “sharpshooter” on the M1911A1-45 ACP handgun in 1994.

When the only option for carrying a handgun is to carry concealed, it unfairly discriminates against women and professionals.

At 1:52 pm, Platt received a phone call informing him that a handgun had been used in the killing of German.

“The argument escalated and Frazier pulled out a handgun and shot the host in the arm,” Gillespie said.

Historical Examples

It's difficult to fire a handgun accurately while in motion.

The first portable arms were the cannon and handgun, both adjusted to very heavy, straight butt-ends and very difficult to handle.

He was feeling too cheerful to use his rightful advantage over them, and decided to use a handgun, since they had nothing better.

"Ewyo dies if I'm touched," said Revel coolly, pointing the handgun at the squire's belly.

Homer came to his feet and handgun in fist made a dash for the front entrance.

handgun

Word Origin and History for handgun

n.

Origin of handgun