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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The incident comes one week after a man rammed his pickup truck into the front of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, and opened fire with an assault rifle, killing four worshipers and injuring eight others. Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2025 Eyewitnesses told authorities Sanford got out of his truck shooting at members with an assault rifle then set off an inferno as terrified members rushed to get everyone out of the building. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025 Police said Sanford rammed the church with his truck, got out and opened fire with an assault rifle. Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 3 Oct. 2025 Investigators said Thomas Sanford, 40, of Burton rammed his pickup truck into the church, jumped out and began firing an assault rifle at congregants. John Wisely, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for assault rifle

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of assault rifle was in 1950

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Cite this Entry

“Assault rifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assault%20rifle. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

assault rifle

noun
: any of various especially automatic rifles designed for military use

called also assault weapon

More from Merriam-Webster on assault rifle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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