water cannon

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.

water cannon

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of water cannon¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Security forces used water cannons and pepper spray to disperse demonstrators.

From BBC

The GSF has alleged that many activists were assaulted with water cannon while their boats were intercepted.

From BBC

Security forces have maintained a heavy presence across Antananarivo and other major cities, with police using tear gas and water cannon to disperse the protesters.

From BBC

Dutch police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse violent anti-immigration protesters in The Hague on Saturday.

From BBC

When some protesters tried to breach the security around parliament, police fired tear gas, water cannon and shots in return.

From BBC