firearm

[fahyuh r-ahrm]

See more synonyms for firearm on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

Origin of firearm

First recorded in 1640–50; fire + arm²

Related formsfire·armed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for firearm

musket, weapon, rifle, pistol, shotgun, revolver, handgun, heat

Examples from the Web for firearm

Contemporary Examples of firearm

Grimes' allies are rallying behind her ability to handle a firearm.
Alison Lundergan Grimes’s New TV Ad Is One Big Gun Gaffe
Tim Mak
September 16, 2014
INTERACTIVE: Hover over markers for more from each range on their age and firearm restrictions for children.
Where Kids as Young as 5 Learn to Shoot Automatic Weapons
Brandy Zadrozny
September 10, 2014
I spent a surreal evening watching all 85 episodes and gathered the best of the worst big ideas from the firearm luminaries.
Gun Training Could’ve Prevented Newtown and 7 More of the Craziest Ideas From NRA YouTube Stars
Brandy Zadrozny
July 25, 2014
The other charges included aggravated assault, four counts of rape, and three counts of kidnapping and pointing a firearm.
Charged With Murder for a Miscarriage in Oklahoma
Michael Daly
June 19, 2014
It also makes the lawful carry of a firearm difficult during warmer months in Texas.
A Gun Owner Speaks: My Case for Open Carry
CJ Grisham
June 12, 2014

Historical Examples of firearm

Instead of the report of a firearm, he heard a peal of laughter from both boys.
The Boy Settlers
Noah Brooks
Yet with a panic at his heart he knew that it was the sharp crack of a firearm.
Riders of the Silences
John Frederick
He unslung the firearm, thinking he might have occasion to use it.
A Lieutenant at Eighteen
Oliver Optic
Just then the report of a firearm was heard, and a bullet whistled by us close to our ears.
Captain Mugford
W.H.G. Kingston
She had not held a rifle in her hands since marrying Frank, who would not have a firearm in the house.
Shaman
Robert Shea

British Dictionary definitions for firearm

firearm

noun

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for firearm

1640s, from fire (n.) + arm (n.2). Related: Firearms.