long gun
Americannoun
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a handheld firearm with a long barrel, as a rifle, designed to be fired when braced against the shoulder.
Grab your long guns, and let’s get in some target practice.
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Ordnance. a mounted firearm, as a cannon, with a long barrel, especially as compared to a shorter-barreled howitzer.
Near the foot of the watchtower was planted a long gun charged with the finest British powder.
Etymology
Origin of long gun
First recorded in 1530–40
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.
A long gun and shell casings were found on the scene, FBI Director Kash Patel said, adding that the agency was carrying out witness interviews as part of its probe.
From Barron's • Apr. 26, 2026
Authorities found two firearms - a long gun and a modified handgun - on the scene.
From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026
Leading up to that scene, Ellie strives to establish her own hero identity by training in hand-to-hand combat with men twice her size and sharpening her sniping skills with a long gun.
From Salon • Apr. 21, 2025
Federal law prohibits dealers from selling handgun ammunition to anyone under 21 and long gun ammunition to anyone under 18, so the company set an across-the-board 21-year age requirement.
From Slate • Aug. 12, 2024
She rotated the only visible handle, and the nose of the long gun tilted into place.
From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
