water gun

American

noun

water pistol.

water gun British

noun

another term (esp US) for water pistol

"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 water gun

First recorded in 1640–50

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.

The 69-year-old general went on the offensive soon after, taking aim at partygoers from close range with a fluorescent pump-action water gun.

From Reuters • Apr. 14, 2023

A video uploaded on 10 April shows a man in red firing a water gun at two policemen and reporters of TVB, which many consider pro-government.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2023

You can build six models, including water-rocket cars, jet-propelled boats, a water gun and even a lawn sprinkler.

From Washington Post • Nov. 2, 2022

Its firebrand leader, Bae, showed up at a recent feminist rally dressed as the Joker from “Batman” comics and toting a toy water gun.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 1, 2022

“I should tell you that while you were dreaming, a boy shot piss out of a water gun on my hair.”

From "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini

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