gunplay

American

[guhn-pley] / ˈgʌnˌpleɪ /

noun

the exchange of gunshots, usually with intent to wound or kill.

gunplay British

/ ˈɡʌnˌpleɪ /

noun

the use of firearms, as by criminals

"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

Etymology

Origin of gunplay

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; gun ¹ + play

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Police always have strict policies about engaging in gunplay — especially in public areas with many innocent bystanders.

From Salon • Jan. 16, 2026

The gunplay is primary though there are some obligatory scenes of martial arts fights.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 22, 2023

There’s no gunplay, there’s no slashing, there’s no blood.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2023

Stylistically and tonally adventurous, the film plops humorous, kooky beats in between frenetic editing and gravity-breaking gunplay.

From New York Times • Dec. 2, 2022

For horsemanship and clever gunplay were the two main feathers in the cap of Slim Dugan.

From Black Jack by Brand, Max

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023