handgun
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of handgun
First recorded in 1400–50, handgun is from the late Middle English word handgone. See hand, gun 1
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.
The New York state judge did exclude certain items from an initial search carried out at the time of the defendant's arrest on December 9, 2024, including a handgun magazine, a phone and a wallet.
From Barron's • May 18, 2026
The first lady’s remarks came after a man armed with a shotgun, handgun and several knives breached security at the Washington black-tie event on April 25.
From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026
In that matter, Keenan was prosecuting a felon for illegally possessing a handgun.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026
North and Ann Pearston, who led the Snowdrop Campaign for a handgun ban after Dunblane, were speaking to BBC News at his home in Perthshire.
From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026
At home, though, there was still the matter of the handgun.
From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
