holster

American  

[hohl-ster] / ˈhoʊl stər /

noun

1. a sheathlike carrying case for a firearm, attached to a belt, shoulder sling, or saddle.

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verb (used with object)

1. to put or put back in a holster.

   to holster a gun.

holster British  

/ ˈhəʊlstə /

noun

1. a sheathlike leather case for a pistol, attached to a belt or saddle

2. mountaineering a similar case for an ice axe or piton hammer

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Other Word Forms

• holstered adjective

Etymology

Origin of holster

1655–65; < Dutch; cognate with Gothic hulistr, Old Norse hulstr sheath; akin to Old English helan to hide

Explanation

The noun holster looks like holder and that's exactly what it is. Some holsters hold a single item, like a gun, and others are more like tool belts, holding many small items. The o in holster is long, so pronounce it like this: "HOLE-ster." Originally, the word described something very specific — a leather case for a pistol. It probably comes from the Old English word heolster (earlier helustr), which means "concealment, hiding place." Today, holsters may hide what they hold, but they always keep things handy.

Example Sentences

The officer then calmly put his gun back in his holster and walked toward the car, which had crashed into another car down the street.

From Slate • Jan. 7, 2026

The 4Runner fled, and when the vehicle was found abandoned days later, an empty holster was found inside but there was no gun, documents said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2025

It was Traoré who stole the show at the inauguration of Ghana's President John Mahama in January, when he arrived wearing battle fatigues with a pistol in his holster.

From BBC • May 11, 2025

“When we first came here, in ’64, I was dressed up in a poncho with a holster and a toy gun,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 26, 2024

Amarante returned, almost daintily lifted the weapon off the bar and stuck it in the holster, and then suddenly they both started to laugh.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols