assault rifle

American  

noun

assault rifles plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• assault rifles
  plural

Etymology

Origin of assault rifle

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

In October 2023, Manunya tattooed a Kalashnikov assault rifle onto the forearm of a colleague.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026

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

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

Now it means a man who carries an assault rifle and who walks in your shadow.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston