assault rifle

noun

: any of various intermediate-range, magazine-fed military rifles (such as the AK-47) that can be set for automatic or semiautomatic fire

also : a rifle that resembles a military assault rifle but is designed to allow only semiautomatic fire

Examples of assault rifle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But none of that has happened, and Hamas rejected a new disarmament proposal in March that would force it to give up its tunnel network as well as rockets, heavy munitions, explosive devices and assault rifles before any Israel withdrawal. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Nicolas Cage headlines through the Nick Cage Event Pass running June 25 to July 23, whose free track hands out the AN-94 assault rifle and Executioner's Duet melee weapon. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Officers were seen carrying assault rifles and searching apartments. — Zaire Breedlove, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2026

When Jonah was 3, sound asleep in his room at his older sister’s birthday party, bullets from an assault rifle cracked through the windows of Jamon’s house and left holes above his bed. — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for assault rifle

• hyphal
• stifle
• trifle

Kids Definition

assault rifle

noun

: any of various especially automatic rifles designed for military use

called also assault weapon