assault rifle

American  

noun

1. a military rifle capable of both automatic and semiautomatic fire, utilizing an intermediate-power cartridge.

2. a nonmilitary weapon modeled on the military assault rifle, usually modified to allow only semiautomatic fire.

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assault rifle British  

noun

1. a semiautomatic firearm with additional features such as a large magazine, a bayonet fitting, etc

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Etymology

Origin of assault rifle

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Sukram Ursa, 21, who surrendered in December, said he had swapped his assault rifle for a government-gifted mobile phone.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

Beside him, another police officer holds an assault rifle.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 26, 2026

OllMS is also a fan of some of the weapons, which he says were in earlier versions and have been brought back, such as the AS VAL - a type of assault rifle.

From BBC • Oct. 25, 2024

The Uvalde gunman used an assault rifle; Herrera is known as the AK Guy.

From Slate • May 28, 2024

Standing a few feet away was his dad, Mars, wearing a red beret and olive fatigues with the insignia of the Italian Special Forces, an assault rifle slung over his shoulder.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan