Armalite

/ ˈɑːməlaɪt /

noun

1. a lightweight high-velocity rifle of various calibres, capable of automatic and semiautomatic operation

Word History and Origins

Origin of Armalite¹

C20: from Armalite Division, Fairchild Engine and Airplane Company, manufacturers

Example Sentences

Introduced to civilian buyers in 1964, the Armalite Rifle 15 Sporter and its offspring are now some of the most popular rifles in the United States and a potent symbol of what guns mean to tens of millions of Americans.

Read more on Seattle Times

ArmaLite eventually sold the rights to Stoner’s AR-15 to the Colt Firearm Company; after a fair bit of rejection and political infighting, the U.S. military adopted the gun, rebranded the M16, as a standard weapon during the Vietnam War.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When Eugene Stoner, an ex-Marine and low-level engineer at Armalite, developed the AR-15 in the mid-1950s, he was simply trying to help his employer land a lucrative contract — the Army was eager to find a light, reliable, high-powered combat rifle.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The AR-15 — Armalite Rifle Model 15 — was different from other military rifles, which had always used big, heavy rounds.

Read more on Washington Post

Colt acquired the AR-15 patent and trademark from Armalite in 1959.

Read more on Washington Post