stun gun

American

noun

a battery-powered, handheld weapon that fires an electric charge when held against a person and activated by a trigger or button, used, especially by police, to immobilize a person briefly and without injury.
any of various handheld weapons that shoot small pellet-filled bags, tranquilizer darts, darts attached to electric wires, or the like to immobilize a person or animal briefly and without injury.

stun gun British

noun

a device designed to immobilize an animal or person temporarily without inflicting serious injury

"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

Etymology

Origin of stun gun

First recorded in 1965–70

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.

Axon Enterprises stock jumped on Wednesday, as the maker of Taser stun guns said its efforts at providing artificial intelligence-driven services to law enforcement clients have led to bookings.

From MarketWatch

Several hundred officers who police France's trains and the Paris metro are to be armed with stun guns on an experimental basis in a bid to increase security, Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said on Thursday.

From Barron's

The prosecution alleged three "stun guns" were found at Rees's home following his arrest.

From BBC

Mr Martin, from Croydon, has admitted having a stun gun and denied all other charges.

From BBC

Axon, which makes Taser stun guns, is asking new hires to spend Tuesday through Friday in the office starting next month.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023