Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

automatic rifle

American  

noun

  1. a type of light machine gun capable of firing automatically or in single shots.


Etymology

Origin of automatic rifle

First recorded in 1875–80

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.

Video footage released by Belarusian state media showed Lukashenko presenting Kim with what appeared to be an automatic rifle, prompting Kim to respond with a mock reloading gesture and say "thank you".

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Holding a sword instead of the automatic rifle now sitting beside him.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2022

On the Boxrec.com website that is the closest thing boxing has to a record book, the home page on Monday featured a picture of Vitali Klitschko holding an automatic rifle above the ratings.

From Fox News • Feb. 28, 2022

Dumas Rescue was also going to capture them on Saturday but the horses were spooked when someone shot an automatic rifle in the distance, Redmon said.

From Washington Times • Jan. 13, 2020

Now I can see that at each ruined desalination machine stands a police officer in riot gear with an automatic rifle, warning people to keep away—as if there’s still something to protect.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman