AR-15

American  

[ey-ahr-fif-teen] / ˈeɪˈɑrˈfɪfˈtin /

Trademark.

1. a lightweight, gas-operated, magazine-fed rifle with a caliber of .223 inches, used for semiautomatic fire.

---

Etymology

Origin of AR-15

First recorded in 1960–65; shortening of ArmaLite Rifle, not of assault rifle ( def. ), as commonly thought

Example Sentences

Josh was part of a team of journalists who won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 2022 for the newspaper’s coverage of Jan. 6 and won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for the newspaper's coverage of the role of the AR-15 in American life.

From The Wall Street Journal

Still, it was a place to gather reinforcements, so the convoy stopped under the town’s welcome arch and officers wielding AR-15 semiautomatic weapons found high ground to watch for threats.

From Los Angeles Times

With armed guards with AR-15 rifles and pistols standing nearby, Mr Bloom introduced Ms Ferguson at a press conference as a "personal friend".

From BBC

One person bought AR-15 rifles and handguns.

From MarketWatch

Ramos’ choice of the Daniel Defense AR-15 was intentional, the lawsuit said.

From Los Angeles Times