firing squad

noun

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.

firing squad

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of firing squad¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

It is not clear how long the department will take to assemble a firing squad now, and authorities have not provided a timeline.

From The Daily Beast

“We will notify the court when a firing squad becomes an option for executions,” the department said in a statement.

From The Daily Beast

While the law, passed in May, also provided for death by firing squad, the state Department of Corrections acknowledged that it would not be logistically possible to use one in time for Sigmon’s planned June 18 execution.

From The Daily Beast

You might as well have banned a firing squad, especially for the shy Matsuyama.

From Washington Post

If Democrats stick together and don’t have their usual circular firing squad they can take advantage of what is happening at CPAC to win more Senate and House seats in the mid-term elections.

From Washington Blade

“Social media is going to solve this crime,” he says, before facing a firing squad of death stares from his colleagues.

From The Daily Beast

And Charles has had to face a firing squad of questions demanding to know why he left, how he could do this to us.

From The Daily Beast

Even more damnably, Mother Courage has the chance to save her son Swiss Cheese from the firing squad by paying a ransom.

From The Daily Beast

But just as suddenly as it appeared, the firing squad cars were gone.

From The Daily Beast

The doctor checked again as the firing squad began to reload.

From The Daily Beast

Many of the firing squad were nervous and their aim was bad; others had shot high on purpose—they had no heart in the work.

From Project Gutenberg

Suppose they took her for a spy, and that tomorrow's sun found her facing a firing squad?

From Project Gutenberg

At Carver's orders a firing-squad of three men stood in front of the Chinaman, whose back was toward the bay.

From Project Gutenberg

I'll do my best—I'll speak a good word at your trial, try to save you from the firing squad, but I'm only a captain.

From Project Gutenberg

One pictured a gallows tree; and, turning from that image, one pictured a firing squad at sunrise.

From Project Gutenberg