holster

[ hohl-ster ]

/ ˈhoʊl stər /

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noun

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

verb (used with object)

to put or put back in a holster: to holster a gun.

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Origin of holster

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

Words nearby holster

holp, holpen, hols, Holst, Holstein, holster, Holston, holt, Holter monitor, Holthouse's hernia, holus-bolus

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use holster in a sentence

Baldwin was practicing drawing the gun from its holster when it went off.
Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins Was Killed by a Prop Gun on the Film Set of Rust. Here's What We Know So Far|Andrew R. Chow|October 22, 2021|Time
He requested that his handcuffs be adjusted and then made “a clear attempt” to snatch another officer’s Glock 17 from the holster, prosecutors say.
Baltimore Cop Stashed 15-Year-Old Stepson’s Body in Wall: Prosecutor|Allison Quinn|July 8, 2021|The Daily Beast
Tests in 2003 of a “clean room” in the city police lab found traces of gunshot residue on the handcuffs, gun belt and holster of the officer assigned there.
With 12 men exonerated, the force behind Maryland’s Innocence Project hangs it up|Tim Prudente|June 3, 2021|Washington Post
“From the first time they engaged, individuals were trying to grab my gun from the holster, putting their hands on top of the gun,” Fanone said.
Iowa man tried to steal gun from D.C. officer during Capitol riot, prosecutors say|Rachel Weiner|April 16, 2021|Washington Post

In Quarles, police captured a rape suspect, noticed he was wearing an empty holster, and asked him where his gun was.
Miranda Warning Withheld From Bombing Suspect for More Than Two Days|Paul Campos|April 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Thomas testified that he noticed that Herring was wearing a gun holster around his ankle.
Lesley Herring: The Hollywood Murder Case With No Body|Christine Pelisek|March 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I can imagine walking into a mall and feeling the weight of a revolver in an ankle holster.
Don’t Arm America: A Soldier’s Reply to Connecticut Shooting|Tony Schwalm|December 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
I took off the sheath, the holster, so to speak, of the taser and I loaded the taser.
L.A. Riots Anniversary: Stacey Koon’s Disturbing Testimony|Christine Pelisek|April 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST
After affixing the Crimson Trace laser sight, like the one Perry uses, the gun required a larger holster.
Ranger Rick and the Coyote|Carol Flake Chapman|September 10, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The guard who had ridden up in front snatched at his shoulder holster as he turned in the direction of Delancy's fire.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
The man lowered his revolver, tucked it away in the swinging holster, and turned to Jos.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews
He had dropped the reins and was struggling to draw a revolver from his right holster with his left hand.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
The white-haired man deftly removed Talpers's revolver from its holster and put it on the table.
Mystery Ranch|Arthur Chapman
From his right side hung a leather holster that held the bolts needed for his weapon.
The Pilgrim's Shell or Fergan the Quarryman|Eugne Sue

British Dictionary definitions for holster

holster

/ (ˈhəʊlstə) /

noun

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

mountaineering a similar case for an ice axe or piton hammer

Derived forms of holster

holstered, adjective

Word Origin for holster

C17: via Dutch holster from Germanic; compare Old Norse hulstr sheath, Old English heolstor darkness, Gothic hulistr cover

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