holster

[hohl-ster]

noun

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

verb (used with object)

1. to put or put back in a holster.

   to holster a gun.

holster

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• holstered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of holster¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of holster¹

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

Example Sentences

A woman had a 9mm pistol in a holster strapped on over her flowery dress.

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The 4Runner drove off before Tacoma police arrived, and and an empty holster was found inside the vehicle when it was discovered abandoned days later.

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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.

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He slowly pulled his prop gun from his holster and pointed it at the camera.

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Ferguson and his wife had been quarreling about money and gratitude for hours when he removed his Glock from his ankle holster and fired a single bullet through her midsection on Aug. 3, 2023.

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