gun

[ guhn ]

/ gʌn /

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noun

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.

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

a long-barreled cannon having a relatively flat trajectory.

any device for shooting something under pressure: a paint gun; a staple gun.

Slang. a person whose profession is killing; professional killer: a gangland gun.

British. a member of a shooting party.

electron gun.

Slang.

(esp. in baseball) a player’s throwing arm.
guns, the biceps or triceps of the arms: his big, muscular guns.

verb (used with object), gunned, gun·ning.

to shoot with a gun (often followed by down): The guards gunned down the fleeing convict.

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

verb (used without object), gunned, gun·ning.

to hunt with a gun.

to shoot with a gun.

Verb Phrases

gun for,

to seek with intent to harm or kill.
to seek; try earnestly to obtain: He is gunning for a raise.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Idioms about gun

give the gun, Slang. to put into motion or speed up: We gave the motor the gun and drove off.

jump the gun, Slang.

to begin a race before the starting signal.
to begin prematurely; act too hastily.

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.

stick to one's guns, to maintain one's position in the face of opposition; stand firm: They stuck to their guns and refused to submit.Also stand by one's guns.

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.

Origin of gun

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 woman's name

OTHER WORDS FROM gun

gunless, adjective

Other definitions for gun (2 of 3)

gun²

[ guhn ]

/ gʌn /

verb

past participle of gin³.

Other definitions for gun (3 of 3)

gun.

abbreviation

gunnery.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use gun in a sentence

“You can imagine the sound of that gun on a Bronx street,” Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce says.
Shot Down During the NYPD Slowdown|Michael Daly|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
That act forever sealed his feeling for the Chief, bound it up with the war, with violence, with the gun.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I mean, the reality of it was, I had to go out and get on a horse, and ride in, shoot the gun — how hard was that, right?
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
They were the machine gun bullets coming from the ambush when my company got hit.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Frias—who was arrested in 2013 for interfering with public duties and public intoxication—was not carrying a gun at the time.
Texas Gun Slingers Police the Police—With a Black Panthers Tactic|Brandy Zadrozny|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
This was no strange sight to the boy by that time, but it was awkward in the circumstances, for he had neither gun nor spear.
The Giant of the North|R.M. Ballantyne
He turned at the sound of my voice with vastly more concern than he'd betrayed under the muzzle of Piegan's gun.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
He was a good judge of men, that eagle-faced major; he knew that the slightest move with hostile intent would mean a smoking gun.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
Here Robinson suddenly turned pale, and, hastily reaching out for his gun, sprang to his feet.
Davy and The Goblin|Charles E. Carryl
I begged him to come down here, but he wouldn't—says that his hand is no longer steady enough to hold a gun—it's awful!
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton

British Dictionary definitions for gun

gun

/ (ɡʌn) /

noun

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
(as modifier)a gun barrel

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

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

any device used to project something under pressurea grease gun; a spray gun

US slang an armed criminal; gunman

Australian and NZ slang

an expert
(as modifier)a gun shearer; a gun batsman

go great guns slang to act or function with great speed, intensity, etc

jump the gun or beat the gun

(of a runner, etc) to set off before the starting signal is given
informal to act prematurely

spike someone's guns See spike 1 (def. 15)

stick to one's guns informal to maintain one's opinions or intentions in spite of opposition

verb guns, gunning or gunned

(when tr, often foll by down) to shoot (someone) with a gun

(tr) to press hard on the accelerator of (an engine)to gun the engine of a car

(intr) to hunt with a gun

Word Origin for gun

C14: probably from a female pet name shortened from the Scandinavian name Gunnhildr (from Old Norse gunnr war + hildr war)

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with gun

gun

In addition to the idiom beginning with gun

gun for
gung ho

also see:

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