water cannon

American  

noun

1. a truck-mounted hose or pipe that shoots a jet of water through a nozzle at extremely high pressure, used especially in dispersing rioters or demonstrators.

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water cannon British  

noun

1. an apparatus for pumping water through a nozzle at high pressure, used in quelling riots

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Etymology

Origin of water cannon

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Embassy is located, before they were dispersed amid thick clouds of smoke and what appeared to be water cannons.

From The Wall Street Journal

Dr Chakhunashvili's report echoed the conclusion that local journalists, doctors, and civil rights organisations had come to - that the water cannon must have been laced with a chemical.

From BBC

The Taiwanese boats also have water cannon and a 20-millimetre static machine gun, but are careful to avoid a confrontation that "could lead to unimaginable consequences", Huang said.

From Barron's

He added that officers had better and more effective equipment, and had stronger incapacitant spray, as well as water cannon "which they didn't have to fire up".

From BBC

A water cannon was also deployed but has not been used.

From BBC