weapon

American  

[wep-uhn] / ˈwɛp ən /

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.

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verb (used with object)

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

   to weapon aircraft with heat-seeking missiles.

weapon British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of weapon

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

Explanation

A weapon is something used to hurt someone. Soldiers use weapons like guns and even sometimes use "weapons of mass destruction" — like bombs. In school, the only weapon you should use is a spitball. A solider engaging in battle needs a weapon, as does a police officer defending herself against a violent attacker. Some weapons are specially designed for killing or injuring, such as guns and crossbows, while in other cases an ordinary object, like a stick, can be used as a weapon. The Old English root is wæpen, "instrument of fighting or defense." The spelling is tricky, and most people just have to memorize the ea in weapon.

Example Sentences

"This 42 percent increase will supercharge our defense industrial base by expanding production of major weapon systems while strengthening supply chains and supporting tens of thousands of small- and medium-sized businesses," Hurst said.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

While travel agents see the incognito trick as an ineffective weapon, consumer advocates say it’s one of the few tools consumers have to protect themselves from surveillance pricing.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 20, 2026

SEOUL—North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his young daughter oversaw the test of a cluster bomb, a controversial weapon that Pyongyang had once denounced but now considers vital to its strategic-missile arsenal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

"This is their weapon of deterrence," he added.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

“In the book, they want to steal a powerful weapon, and in real life, our father’s been accused of stealing a powerful weapon.”

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas

Related Words

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