air gun

noun

1

: a gun from which a projectile is propelled by compressed air

2

: any of various hand tools that work by compressed air

especially : airbrush

Examples of air gun in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Police said on Sunday the gunman had previously had an air gun confiscated by a teacher last year, and had watched violent content online, using social media to learn how to use a firearm. — Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026

Instead, challenge organizers recommend either air guns or pithing techniques, such as quickly impaling the snakes through the head. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 21 May 2026

The attorney general of New Jersey, one of the 13 original states, recently had to offer guidance when a new law targeting ghost guns seemed to require all firearms — including antiques and even air guns — to have serial numbers. — Allen G. Breed, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026

The gear included an air gun, tape, black leather gloves, a stocking cap, a rubber face mask , court records say. — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1753, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for air gun

• begun
• grandson
• gudrun
• handgun
• homespun
• outdone
• outrun
• pashtun
• redone
• rerun
• shotgun
• someone

Kids Definition

air gun

noun

1

: a gun that fires with a compressed gas (as air or carbon dioxide)

2

: any of various hand tools that work by compressed air

especially : airbrush

Medical Definition

air gun

noun

: jet injector

The UN [United Nations] would like air guns, delivering vaccine doses without using needles.

—Laurie Garrett, Newsday