weapon

American  

[wep-uhn] / ˈwɛp ən /

noun

1. any instrument or device for use in attack or defense in combat, fighting, or war, as a sword, rifle, or cannon.

2. anything used against an opponent, adversary, or victim.

   the deadly weapon of satire.

3. Zoology. any part or organ serving for attack or defense, as claws, horns, teeth, or stings.

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verb (used with object)

1. to supply or equip with a weapon or weapons.

   to weapon aircraft with heat-seeking missiles.

weapon British  

/ ˈwɛpən /

noun

1. an object or instrument used in fighting

2. anything that serves to outwit or get the better of an opponent

   his power of speech was his best weapon

3. any part of an animal that is used to defend itself, to attack prey, etc, such as claws, teeth, horns, or a sting

4. a slang word for penis

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Other Word Forms

• outweaponed adjective
• superweapon noun
• unweaponed adjective
• weaponed adjective
• weaponless adjective

Etymology

Origin of weapon

First recorded before 900; Middle English wepen, Old English wǣpen; cognate with German Waffe, Old Norse vāpn, Gothic wēpna (plural)

Example Sentences

Counter terrorism police said they were in control of the supply and delivery of the weapons the whole time to protect the public.

From BBC

The Thai military says the buildings had been taken over by Cambodian forces to store and launch weapons—a claim that Cambodian officials deny.

From The Wall Street Journal

However, counter-terrorism police said they were in control of the supply and delivery of the weapons the whole time in order to protect the public.

From BBC

The Pentagon has elevated quantum to the center of its future weapons strategy.

From MarketWatch

Israeli companies also export cyber weapons such as NSO’s Pegasus, which allows clients to take control over smartphones remotely to spy on targets.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• ammunition
• bomb
• cannon
• firearm
• gun
• knife
• machete
• machine gun
• missile
• nerve gas
• pistol
• revolver
• rifle
• shotgun
• sword
• tear gas