air pistol

American  

noun

1. a pistol that utilizes compressed air rather than ignited gunpowder to propel a single shot, often a pellet.

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Etymology

Origin of air pistol

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

A day after Kim Ye-ji won a silver medal in the 10-meter air pistol event at the Paris Olympics, she learned that the internet had decided she was the coolest shooter on the planet.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 2024

They said they caught him carrying a paintball mask — and the gun turned out to be the kind of air pistol you use for paintball.

From Washington Post • Jan. 5, 2023

It started when he was 5 years old, shooting milk cartons with an air pistol in the Poconos in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

From New York Times • Feb. 13, 2022

Elsewhere, a nurse from Iran became the Olympic champion in the men's 10m air pistol competition.

From BBC • Jul. 24, 2021

They are now specifically known by the name of the purpose to which they are applied, as air ship, ventilator, air brake, fan blower, air pistol, air spring, etc.

From Inventions in the Century by Doolittle, William Henry