weapon

[wep-uhn]

noun

1. any instrument or device for use in attack or defense in combat, fighting, or war, as a sword, rifle, or cannon.

2. anything used against an opponent, adversary, or victim.

   the deadly weapon of satire.

3. Zoology.,  any part or organ serving for attack or defense, as claws, horns, teeth, or stings.

verb (used with object)

1. to supply or equip with a weapon or weapons.

   to weapon aircraft with heat-seeking missiles.

weapon

/ ˈwɛpən /

noun

1. an object or instrument used in fighting

2. anything that serves to outwit or get the better of an opponent

   his power of speech was his best weapon

3. any part of an animal that is used to defend itself, to attack prey, etc, such as claws, teeth, horns, or a sting

4. a slang word for penis

Other Word Forms

• weaponed adjective
• weaponless adjective
• outweaponed adjective
• superweapon noun
• unweaponed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of weapon¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English wepen, Old English wǣpen; cognate with German Waffe, Old Norse vāpn, Gothic wēpna (plural)

Word History and Origins

Origin of weapon¹

Old English wǣpen; related to Old Norse vápn, Old Frisian wēpen, Old High German wāffan

Example Sentences

Ukraine is on course to run out of cash in the spring, EU officials say, and they see their loan proposal as the best option for allowing Kyiv to continue buying weapons.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"It was a stark reminder that my cerebral palsy makes me stand out, and is often used as a weapon against me."

Read more on BBC

Gronowski has, however, been a weapon on the ground — and especially in the red zone.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Strap a small bomb to it though, and it becomes a deadly weapon.

Read more on BBC

Member states were asked to "increase efforts to combat the smuggling of weapons and components via land and sea routes, to ensure implementation of the targeted arms embargo."

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• ammunition 
• bomb 
• cannon 
• firearm 
• gun 
• knife 
• machete 
• machine gun 
• missile 
• nerve gas 
• pistol 
• revolver 
• rifle 
• shotgun 
• sword 
• tear gas