light machine gun

noun

Military.

1. any air-cooled machine gun having a caliber not greater than 0.30 inch (7.6 millimeters).

Word History and Origins

Origin of light machine gun¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

The trucks were flanked by troops, light machine guns at the ready.

Read more on BBC

Then light machine guns, mounted on the fronts of planes, were equipped with “interrupter” gears that allowed the guns to fire through the propellers without hitting the blades.

Read more on Literature

Corporal Sidney Bates posthumously received Britain's Victoria Cross for "supreme gallantry" after repeatedly charging a critical German position with a light machine gun before dying of his wounds.

Read more on Reuters

The conflict has also divided state forces, with many defecting to their communities along with their arms and in some cases more sophisticated weaponry like snipers, light machine guns and mortars.

Read more on Seattle Times

He grabbed a Bren light machine gun and emptied two full magazines on the enemy nest, silencing it.

Read more on Washington Post