revolver

noun

re·​volv·​er ri-ˈväl-vər 

-ˈvȯl-,

 also  -ˈvä-vər,

 or  -ˈvȯ-vər

1

: one that revolves

2

: a handgun with a cylinder of several chambers brought successively into line with the barrel and discharged with the same hammer

Examples of revolver in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When the revolver goes off after only the second spin of the barrel, killing Ali, Hoult practically squeals with delight. —Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 16 July 2025

The pair leaped out and tried to run but gave up when cops pulled out revolvers and a machine gun. —Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 28 June 2025

In 1971, Welch, who had been building a cabin on the San Juan Ridge, on land Ginsberg had left him, walked away from the property with a .22-caliber revolver and was never seen again. —Longreads, 27 June 2025

In the car, officers found a safe, all of the children's passports as well as Jenny Boelter's, about $10,000 in cash, a revolver pistol in the glove box and another semi-automatic pistol in a cooler, the FBI said in the complaint. —N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 27 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

revolve + -er entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for revolver

• resolver
• solver

Kids Definition

revolver

noun

re·​volv·​er ri-ˈväl-vər 

-ˈvȯl-

: a handgun having a revolving cylinder holding several bullets all of which may be shot without loading again