gun

¹ American  

[guhn] / gʌn /

noun

1. a weapon consisting of a metal tube, with mechanical attachments, from which projectiles are shot by the force of an explosive; a piece of ordnance.

2. any portable firearm, such as a rifle, shotgun, or revolver.

3. a long-barreled cannon having a relatively flat trajectory.

4. any device for shooting something under pressure.

   I always thin the paint a bit before using it in a paint gun.

   With a staple gun, you could put up these posters a lot faster.

5. any of various handheld devices used as a dispenser or applicator.

   We need to put a new roll of tape on the tape gun.

   Be careful when handling the glue gun, as it has to be quite hot to melt the glue sticks.

6. Slang. a person whose profession is killing; professional killer.

   They got a hired gun to take out the rival drug dealer.

7. British. a member of a group of people hunting pheasants or other game birds.

8. electron gun.

9. Slang.

   1. (especially in baseball) a player’s throwing arm.

   2. guns, the biceps or triceps of the arms.

      After the workout he took a selfie, flexing his impressive guns.

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verb (used with object)

gunned, gunning

1. to shoot with a gun (often followed bydown ).

   The fighter pilot gunned down three enemy aircraft even after his own plane was damaged.

2. to cause (an engine, vehicle, aircraft, etc.) to increase in speed very quickly by increasing the supply of fuel.

   Don’t gun the engine before it warms up, especially on a cold day.

verb (used without object)

gunned, gunning

1. to hunt with a gun.

   He was out gunning in the woods when he came across somebody else’s traps.

2. to shoot with a gun.

   I spent the afternoon gunning at the range with friends from my gun club.

verb phrase

1. gun for

   1. to seek or pursue with intent to defeat, harm, or kill.

      The other team was gunning for our running back the whole time.

      If you ratted on them, the gang will be out gunning for you.

   2. to seek; try earnestly to obtain.

      He is gunning for a raise.

idioms

1. jump the gun,

   1. to begin a race before the starting signal.

   2. to begin prematurely; act too hastily.

2. come out gunning, to enter or engage in a contest, debate, negotiation, etc., with an aggressive attitude.

   The councilor has come out gunning on the crime issue ever since his own car was broken into.

   We were psyched up for this game and came out gunning, straight to a 6–2 lead.

3. under the gun, under pressure, as to meet a deadline or solve a problem.

   We're all under the gun with these new sales quotas.

4. give the gun, to put into motion or speed up.

   The pilot gave the engine the gun and managed to take off on the short airstrip.

5. stick to one's guns, to maintain one's position in the face of opposition; stand firm: Also stand by one's guns.

   They stuck to their guns and refused to submit.

6. spike someone's guns, to frustrate or prevent someone from accomplishing a plan.

   Our competitors planned a surprise reduction in their rates, but we discovered it and were able to spike their guns.

gun ² American  

[guhn] / gʌn /

verb

1. past participle of gin.

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gun. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. gunnery.

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gun British  

/ ɡʌn /

noun

1. 1. a weapon with a metallic tube or barrel from which a missile is discharged, usually by force of an explosion. It may be portable or mounted. In a military context the term applies specifically to a flat-trajectory artillery piece

   2. ( as modifier )

      a gun barrel

2. the firing of a gun as a salute or signal, as in military ceremonial

3. a member of or a place in a shooting party or syndicate

4. any device used to project something under pressure

   a grease gun

   a spray gun

5. slang an armed criminal; gunman

6. slang

   1. an expert

   2. ( as modifier )

      a gun shearer

      a gun batsman

7. slang to act or function with great speed, intensity, etc

8. 1. (of a runner, etc) to set off before the starting signal is given

   2. informal to act prematurely

9. See spike 1

10. informal to maintain one's opinions or intentions in spite of opposition

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verb

1. to shoot (someone) with a gun

2. (tr) to press hard on the accelerator of (an engine)

   to gun the engine of a car

3. (intr) to hunt with a gun

gun More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing gun

• at gunpoint
• big cheese (gun)
• great guns
• hired gun
• hold a gun to someone's head
• jump the gun
• smoking gun
• son of a bitch (gun)
• stick to one's guns
• under the gun

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Other Word Forms

• gunless adjective

Etymology

Origin of gun

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English gunne, gonne, apparently short for Anglo-Latin Gunilda, gonnyld, name for engine of war; compare Old Norse Gunna, short for Gunnhildr, female name

Explanation

A gun is a hand-held weapon that fires bullets or shells. A hunter's gun looks very different from the gun carried in a holster by a police officer.Guns come in all shapes and sizes, but they are all dangerous weapons. Most guns are designed to kill or injure, whether when hunting animals or used for self-defense. There are also starting guns, which make a loud noise to mark the start of a race; squirt guns, which fire streams of water; and paintball guns, used to shoot paint pellets during a paintball game. A so-called "hired gun" is a professional who's paid for their particular abilities. "Son of a gun" is an informal, fond way to refer to someone.

Example Sentences

If it’s anything like a normal set, it will be fun and there will be a toilet paper gun.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

This is no time to talk about gun violence.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

The appeals court ruled that Keenan couldn’t use the gun as evidence because police had conducted an illegal search, forcing Keenan to dismiss the case.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

That gave her hope that "Innocence" could prompt a rethink of gun violence in America and other issues.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

There’s a spaceship in my garage, and I own a multipurpose ray gun disguised as a laser pointer.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Related Words

• cannon
• handgun
• hardware
• mortar
• piece
• pistol
• revolver
• rifle
• shotgun