.22

American

[twen-tee-too, twuhn-] / ˈtwɛn tiˈtu, ˈtwʌn- /

Or twenty-two

noun

plural

.22s, .22's

a rifle or pistol using a cartridge .22 inch in diameter and of varying length.
the cartridge itself.

Etymology

Origin of .22

First recorded in 1925–30

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.

At one point, Mr Pozzolo appears to have shown guests his .22 calibre mini-revolver, one of the smallest commercially available, which he has a license to own.

From BBC • Jan. 2, 2024

Another traveler, an Arkansas woman, was stopped with a .22 caliber handgun with five bullets loaded.

From Washington Times • May 23, 2023

At the London Games, Antyukh finished in 52.70 seconds, lowering her personal best by .22 to beat Demus by .07.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 21, 2022

They also found a registered .22 caliber rifle and video of him pointing a rifle inside his home.

From Washington Post • Oct. 19, 2022

Once again, I could almost see myself riding my pony and shooting my .22.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023