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

These brilliant episodes describe gangster murders, war injuries, firing squads, hangings and bullfight triumphs and deaths.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“What is not helpful to me in this moment,” Simon said, “is for the Democrats to be a circular firing squad.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Impromptu firing squads have dispatched kneeling men they say are members of rival groups, including some of Gaza's powerful clans.

Read more on BBC

Thirty-three of this year's executions have been carried out by lethal injection, two by firing squad and four by nitrogen hypoxia, which involves pumping nitrogen gas into a face mask, causing the prisoner to suffocate.

Read more on Barron's