firearm

American  

[fahyuhr-ahrm] / ˈfaɪərˌɑrm /

noun

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

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firearm British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• firearmed adjective

Etymology

Origin of firearm

First recorded in 1640–50; fire + arm ²

Example Sentences

Mugabe and Tobias Tamirepi Matonhodze, 33, also face additional charges, including defeating the ends of justice, which relates to the missing firearm, prosecutors say.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

Anyone wishing to buy a firearm is also subject to extensive background checks and needs to have a licence.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

But he also didn’t see Glenn reach for either officer’s gun and told grand jurors he was shocked when Proctor drew a firearm.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 2026

Indeed, it is difficult to think of any place outside the tribal areas of Afghanistan or Waziristan where the firearm is such a cultural totem.

From Salon • Feb. 7, 2026

Once, he dropped his backpack and a firearm catalogue spilled out, and there was also that photo at the shooting range.

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti

Related Words

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