noun
Etymology
Origin of revolver
Compare meaning
How does revolver compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
A revolver is a gun that can be held in one hand and has a revolving cylinder. Most revolvers can fire six bullets without being reloaded. You can also call a revolver a pistol or a handgun or even a six-shooter. This last nickname comes from the fact that many revolvers have six chambers for bullets in their revolving cylinders. Originally, they were called revolving guns, but the man who invented them, Samuel Colt, preferred the briefer revolver, and it caught on.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When they started BERO, Holland and Herman tapped as brewmaster Grant Wood, a past Boston Beer executive who went on to found Revolver Brewing, now part of Tilray Brands.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 2026
Jesus Moreno, managing director of the nearby Revolver Records music store, said he sold out all 20 vinyl copies of the album in just hours.
From Barron's • Nov. 7, 2025
But after Epstein's death it became clear that contrary to the sentiments of Harrison's Revolver album opening track, the taxman was not getting his hands on as much as he might have been.
From BBC • Dec. 8, 2024
He came home to L.A., where he was honored with an award for Best Metal Singer at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards, but weeks later his condition worsened.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 13, 2024
"Equipment: "Officer: Revolver, saber, or machete, and field-glass.
From History of the Gatling Gun Detachment, Fifth Army Corps, at Santiago With a Few Unvarnished Truths Concerning that Expedition by Parker, John H. (John Henry)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
