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Synonyms

air rifle

American  

noun

  1. an air gun with rifled bore.


air rifle British  

noun

  1. a rifle discharged by compressed air

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of air rifle

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05

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.

See Examples For:

Another joint minute stated that Peter Fullard, now deceased, purchased an air rifle for Campbell in May 2017, after he had been refused a firearms certificate earlier that year.

From BBC Feb. 17, 2026

On the American team, three-time Olympic champion Vincent Hancock is confirmed to defend his title in men’s skeet and Mary Tucker is in the women’s 10-meter air rifle.

From Seattle Times Apr. 17, 2024

He also said the office “is currently in possession of the air rifle and the eagle.”

From Washington Times Mar. 6, 2023

It was later determined to be an air rifle.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 14, 2023

Atticus took her air rifle from her hand and put a golf club in it, Dr. Finch taught her—Dr. Finch taught her what he was most interested in.

From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper Lee

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