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

The parents of a 16-year-old boy who wounded two students at a Colorado high school with an old revolver his family said was kept in a locked gun safe won't be charged with any crimes, authorities said Wednesday. —Arkansas Online, 5 Feb. 2026

According to investigators, the revolver was a family heirloom, and Holly did not have regular access to the safe. —Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026

Ritchie says the killer, who didn’t steal money or any garage sale items, chose a revolver so no casings would be left behind. —Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026

Prosecutors said his Taurus revolver was loaded with three shotgun shells and two hollow point bullets. —Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2026

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