AR-15

[ ey-ahr-fif-teen ]

Trademark.

1. a lightweight, gas-operated, magazine-fed rifle with a caliber of .223 inches, used for semiautomatic fire. Compare AK-47 ( def ), M16 ( def ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of AR-15¹

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

Example Sentences

Republicans in Oregon are honoring two victims of gun violence by auctioning off an AR-15.

From The Daily Beast

Hoplophobes, for instance, panic, and call 911 at the sight of an AR-15 in a grocery store.

From The Daily Beast

(Alexis, being a nonresident, was blocked from purchasing an AR-15).

From The Daily Beast

He had bought the shotgun only that weekend after deciding against an AR-15 assault rifle because of the waiting period.

From The Daily Beast

She argued for restricting sales of AR-15 rifles even though the shooter was not armed with that weapon.

From The Daily Beast

Yes, sir; in this followup car we have what is now known as an AR-15.

From Project Gutenberg

There is an AR-15, which is an automatic rifle, and a shotgun.

From Project Gutenberg