semiautomatic

American  

[sem-ee-aw-tuh-mat-ik, sem-ahy-] / ˌsɛm iˌɔ təˈmæt ɪk, ˌsɛm aɪ- /

adjective

1. partly automatic.

2. (of a firearm) automatically ejecting the cartridge case of a fired shot and loading the next cartridge from the magazine but requiring a squeeze of the trigger to fire each individual shot.

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noun

1. a self-loading rifle or other firearm.

semiautomatic British  

/ ˌsɛmɪˌɔːtəˈmætɪk /

adjective

1. partly automatic

2. (of a firearm) self-loading but firing only one shot at each pull of the trigger Compare automatic

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noun

1. a semiautomatic firearm

Other Word Forms

• semiautomatically adverb

Etymology

Origin of semiautomatic

First recorded in 1890–95; semi- + automatic

Example Sentences

Australia banned most automatic and semiautomatic guns, introduced strict licensing requirements and implemented a gun buyback program.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 15, 2025

The department shared photos of a semiautomatic handgun with a wrapped grip and attached flashlight that authorities say belonged to the suspect, who has not been identified.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 20, 2025

Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation found an SKS semiautomatic rifle with a scope and extended magazine in the area where Routh had been hiding.

From BBC • Sep. 7, 2025

More recently, the department settled a lawsuit over forced-reset triggers, in the process allowing the sale of aftermarket devices that boost a semiautomatic rifle’s rate of fire.

From Slate • Jun. 4, 2025

There were four of them—all white, all wearing jeans and sweatshirts and baseball caps and bulletproof vests, and all carrying police-issue 9-millimeter semiautomatic handguns.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell