weapon
Americannoun
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any instrument or device for use in attack or defense in combat, fighting, or war, as a sword, rifle, or cannon.
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anything used against an opponent, adversary, or victim.
the deadly weapon of satire.
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Zoology. any part or organ serving for attack or defense, as claws, horns, teeth, or stings.
verb (used with object)
noun
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an object or instrument used in fighting
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anything that serves to outwit or get the better of an opponent
his power of speech was his best weapon
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any part of an animal that is used to defend itself, to attack prey, etc, such as claws, teeth, horns, or a sting
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a slang word for penis
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing weapon
"Black Panther" Lingo
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List 1
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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.
In a classified report titled “Crime Weapon: Drone,” the BKA has documented unauthorized drone incursions over military installations, defense-industry property and critical infrastructure, including airports.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 11, 2025
Both given similar powers as victims of experimentation by the US government’s Weapon X project, Deadpool and Wolverine share a love-hate relationship.
From BBC • Jul. 24, 2024
The economy was healthy, the world was largely at peace, the Soviet Union had been dismantled, and they were still making new Lethal Weapon movies.
From Slate • May 15, 2024
Lautner is also famous for some other architectural movie stars, including the Chemosphere, immortalized in “Body Double,” the Sheats–Goldstein Residence, seen in “The Big Lebowski,” and the Garcia House from “Lethal Weapon 2.”
From Seattle Times • Mar. 9, 2024
"A most convincing point, Lord of War," said the Weapon.
From The Reluctant Weapon by Myers, Howard L.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
