firing squad

American  

noun

• firing squads
  plural

1. a military detachment assigned to execute a condemned person by shooting.

2. a military detachment assigned to fire a salute at the burial of a person being honored.

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firing squad British  

noun

1. a small military detachment formed to implement a death sentence by shooting

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• firing squads
  plural

Etymology

Origin of firing squad

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

firing squad

Granted, they have been gunning for his judgement too, in a circular firing squad about credibility.

From BBC ● Apr. 22, 2026

Adding the firing squad in Arizona requires a constitutional amendment because the state’s constitution explicitly describes the sole methods of execution allowable for the state.

From Slate ● Feb. 24, 2026

In 1867, as Paris withdrew support and Washington backed the nationalist cause, Maximilian drew his final breath before a Mexican firing squad.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 24, 2025

Federal executions, which also have the option of using a firing squad, have been stayed by an indefinite moratorium imposed by Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2021.

From Washington Times ● Mar. 21, 2023

Bailey stood alone at the front of the class, as if he was facing a firing squad.

From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier