handgun

[hand-guhn]

noun

1. any firearm that can be held and fired with one hand; a revolver or a pistol.

handgun

/ ˈhændˌɡʌn /

noun

1. a firearm that can be held, carried, and fired with one hand, such as a pistol

Word History and Origins

Origin of handgun¹

First recorded in 1400–50, handgun is from the late Middle English word handgone. See hand, gun ¹

Example Sentences

Assault rifles, handguns and explosives were also seized.

Read more on Barron's

Downtown, where bluffs rise above the serpentine Mississippi River, George Campbell was walking his goldendoodle, Zac, when he spotted a group of National Guard soldiers in fatigues, handguns holstered at their hips.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Agents arrested the stepson in Stockton after he picked up a handgun from an associate of Bash, according to the affidavit.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He brought his .357 Magnum handgun, later telling police that he knew Ford had a criminal record and a reputation for violence.

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He said when Ms Penney opened the door she was "instantly shot to the heart with a single bullet from a handgun at close range".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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