Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for recoilless. Search instead for recoilless+rifle.

recoilless

American  
[ri-koil-lis, ree-koil-] / rɪˈkɔɪl lɪs, ˈriˌkɔɪl- /

adjective

  1. having little or no recoil.

    a recoilless rifle.


recoilless British  
/ rɪˈkɔɪllɪs /

adjective

  1. denoting a gun, esp an antitank weapon, in which the blast is vented to the rear so as to eliminate or reduce recoil

"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

Etymology

Origin of recoilless

First recorded in 1945–50; recoil + -less

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.

The ministry distributed to media outlets photos of North Korean soldiers building a guard post and moving a suspected recoilless rifle to a newly built trench.

From Washington Times • Nov. 27, 2023

The agreement for anti-tank weapons enables purchases of missiles, recoilless rifles, ammunition and other related equipment, it said, adding the purchases are pending separate investment decisions.

From Reuters • May 18, 2022

Decades ago, the military provided Mammoth and other ski areas with old-style recoilless rifles for controlling avalanches.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2017

The barrel of a recoilless rifle is open at both ends.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

This one had a recoilless rifle mounted on the roof.

From The Green Beret by Schoenherr, John

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "recoilless" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com