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Taser

American  
[tey-zer] / ˈteɪ zər /
Trademark.
  1. Often TASER a brand name for a gunlike device that uses propelled wires or direct contact to electrically stun and incapacitate a person temporarily.


Taser British  
/ ˈteɪzə /

noun

  1. a weapon that fires electrical probes that give an electric shock, causing temporary paralysis

"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

verb

  1. (tr) to stun (someone) with a taser

"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

Usage

What is a Taser? A Taser is an electric weapon that stuns its human or animal target by direct contact or with wired barbs that are shot from the device. The word Taser is a trademark for a brand, but in common usage it is used to refer to any such device and is often used as a synonym for stun gun. When used this way, it’s usually not capitalized (taser). Sometimes, though, it’s spelled in all capitals (TASER). Tasers are typically associated with their use by police. Civilians have also adopted such weapons for self-defense.

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.

See Examples For:

Axon said it continues to believe robotics and autonomous technology could improve public safety, but the company has no plans to develop Taser drones for schools.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 28, 2026

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 Feb. 25, 2026

The animals were so ferocious, police officers chose to Taser them through a smashed window rather than go into the house, the trial had heard.

From BBC Feb. 20, 2026

Sanchez was unable to use his less lethal Taser because its battery had been drained.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 29, 2026

Arm-wrestling him for the Elucidator or the Taser was out of the question.

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

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