pistol

American  

[pis-tl] / ˈpɪs tl /

noun

1. a short firearm intended to be held and fired with one hand.

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verb (used with object)

pistoled, pistoling, pistolled, pistolling

1. to shoot with a pistol.

pistol British  

/ ˈpɪstəl /

noun

1. a short-barrelled handgun

2. to threaten a person in order to force him to do what one wants

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verb

1. (tr) to shoot with a pistol

Other Word Forms

• pistollike adjective

Etymology

Origin of pistol

1560–70; < Middle French pistole < German, earlier pitschal, pitschole, petsole < Czech píšt’ala literally, pipe, fife, whistle (presumably a slang term for a type of light harquebus employed during the Hussite wars), akin to pištět to squeak, peep

Compare meaning

How does pistol compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• revolver vs. pistol

Example Sentences

After arresting the owners, officers also searched their vehicle, where they found an air pistol - possession of which requires a licence and supervision for under 18s - a police scanner, and more cash.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

He was carrying an assault weapon, a pistol and the equivalent of nearly $1.4 million on him when he died, Trevilla added.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

Eliminated exams include “Judgment pistol shooting,” “Criminal encounters,” and “Determine removability.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026

The president himself posted a photograph of the pistol on Truth Social, noting that it was loaded and accompanied by extra magazines.

From Salon • Jan. 26, 2026

Booth chose as his primary weapon a .44 caliber, single-shot, muzzle-loading pistol manufactured by Henry Deringer of Philadelphia.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson

Related Words

• firearm
• gun
• handgun
• rod