assault rifle
Americannoun
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a military rifle capable of both automatic and semiautomatic fire, utilizing an intermediate-power cartridge.
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a nonmilitary weapon modeled on the military assault rifle, usually modified to allow only semiautomatic fire.
noun
Etymology
Origin of assault rifle
First recorded in 1970–75
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.
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
“Don’t be caught here after dark,” said the jittery cop, who brandished an assault rifle as he scanned the environs.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 28, 2025
Results of ballistics investigations carried out in Ukraine suggested it was impossible to accidentally fire the weapon, an assault rifle, Det Sgt Bullivant told the inquest.
From BBC • Dec. 13, 2024
The Uvalde gunman used an assault rifle; Herrera is known as the AK Guy.
From Slate • May 28, 2024
The gun rack, set between two of the eight windows, held a Remington shotgun, a Colt AR-15 assault rifle, a tear-gas gun, and many rounds of ammunition.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
