gunshot

[ guhn-shot ]

/ ˈgʌnˌʃɒt /

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noun

the shooting of a gun: We heard three gunshots.

a bullet, projectile, or other shot fired from a gun.

the range of a gun: The bear was out of gunshot.

adjective

made by a gunshot.

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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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Origin of gunshot

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English; gun¹, shot¹

Words nearby gunshot

gun room, gunrunning, guns, gunsel, gunship, gunshot, gun-shy, gunslinger, gunsmith, gunstock, gunstock stile

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

How to use gunshot in a sentence

Swalwell paused, and the Senate was silent as the sound of the gunshot resonated from the video.
House impeachment managers emphasize the danger to Pence and other top officials in harrowing retelling of Jan. 6 attack|Amy Gardner, Karoun Demirjian, Felicia Sonmez, Paul Kane|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
As he brings it down, the first gunshot is heard on the video.
Video shows fatal shooting of man by Montgomery County sheriff’s deputy|Ian Duncan, Dan Morse|February 8, 2021|Washington Post
Stewart was driven to the hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds and died a little later, authorities said.
Prince George’s shooting victim identified|Lauren Lumpkin|January 31, 2021|Washington Post
The passenger was hospitalized with gunshot wounds but survived and has been released, Metro officials said.
911 call released in FBI Metro shooting details possible attack on agent before encounter|Dan Morse|January 27, 2021|Washington Post

They found John Woo Jang, 66, of Laurel, with multiple gunshot wounds, police said.
Four men charged in fatal shooting of food mart employee in Maryland|Katie Mettler|January 21, 2021|Washington Post
Seven years later, he was found dead with two gunshot wounds to the head in what was ruled a suicide.
Jeremy Renner Opens Up About Marriage, His Problems with the Media, and the Future of Hawk-Eye|Marlow Stern|September 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A wooden chair whizzed past my left ear and smashed into the steel door like a gunshot.
Inside a Hospital for the Criminally Insane|Caitlin Dickson|September 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It took a gunshot, however, to make the story public property.
Portrait of the Consummate Con Man|John Lardner|May 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The most seriously wounded, 11-year-old Tymisha Washington, was listed in critical condition with multiple gunshot wounds.
How Chicago Became ‘Chiraq’|Michael Daly|April 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Two Reuters journalists at the scene reported seeing two dead bodies, one with gunshot wounds to the head.
Deadly Shootout in Ukraine Raises Fears of Russian Invasion|Jamie Dettmer|April 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He had made a study of gunshot wounds, and deemed himself fortunate to be in when Mr. Warden called.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
The starting-signal was to be a gunshot, the gun to be fired five minutes after a first warning shot.
The Rival Campers|Ruel Perley Smith
For two long days and nights the chase kept up, during which the Constitution was kept, by weary labor, just out of gunshot ahead.
Stories of Our Naval Heroes|Various
It was five o'clock before the Yankee ship came up within gunshot.
Stories of Our Naval Heroes|Various
At less than a gunshot from where I stood was as plainly defined a seabeach as one could wish to see.
The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce|Ambrose Bierce

British Dictionary definitions for gunshot

gunshot

/ (ˈɡʌnˌʃɒt) /

noun

shot fired from a gun
(as modifier)gunshot wounds

the range of a gun

the shooting of a gun

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