firing squad

noun

1
: a detachment detailed to fire volleys over the grave of one buried with military honors
2
: a detachment detailed to carry out a sentence of death by shooting

Examples of firing squad 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.
Five states currently authorize execution by firing squad, including Utah. Amanda Castro joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025 South Carolina has put prisoners to death by by firing squad twice in 2025. Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 2 Sep. 2025 Utah hasn't used a firing squad since 2010, though South Carolina began using the method for the first time this year and has executed two inmates that way. Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025 Fans would later be directed to use these signs to determine the fate of some hooded individuals lined up in front of a (fake) firing squad on the stage. Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 21 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for firing squad

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of firing squad was in 1864

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Cite this Entry

“Firing squad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firing%20squad. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

firing squad

noun
fir·​ing squad
ˈfī(ə)r-iŋ-
1
: a military unit assigned to fire shots over the grave of one buried with military honors
2
: a military unit assigned to carry out a sentence of death by shooting

More from Merriam-Webster on firing squad

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