firearm

[fahyuhr-ahrm]

noun

1. a small arms arm weapon, as a rifle or pistol, from which a projectile is fired by gunpowder.

firearm

/ ˈfaɪərˌɑːm /

noun

1. a weapon, esp a portable gun or pistol, from which a projectile can be discharged by an explosion caused by igniting gunpowder, etc

Other Word Forms

• firearmed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of firearm¹

First recorded in 1640–50; fire + arm ²

Example Sentences

It is legal to own a firearm in South Africa for self-defence if a person has a valid licence.

Read more on BBC

Abdullah Haji Zada, 19, pleaded guilty in April to attempting to buy firearms and ammunition in order to carry out a federal crime of terrorism.

Read more on Barron's

The application also noted that police seized five sticks, iron rods and bricks from the accused, but found no firearms or swords, contrary to what Akhlaq's wife had stated in her complaint.

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An off-duty law enforcement officer was arrested in Riverside County last week after pulling a firearm on a 17-year-old and detaining him on the side of the road.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Hamas’s military wing suggested to Egyptian mediators that they should be able to keep their personal firearms for self-defense.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• handgun 
• musket 
• pistol 
• revolver 
• rifle 
• shotgun 
• weapon