semiautomatic
adjective
semi·au·to·mat·ic
ˌse-mē-ˌȯ-tə-ˈma-tik 
ˌse-ˌmī-,
-mi-
: not fully automatic: such as
a
: operated partly automatically and partly by hand
b
of a firearm
: able to fire repeatedly through an automatic reloading process but requiring release and another pressure of the trigger for each successive shot
a semiautomatic rifle
semiautomatic
noun
Examples of semiautomatic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
New Zealand banned military-style semiautomatic weapons and assault rifles months after the attack – the deadliest shooting ever in the country – and strengthened its counterterrorism laws.
—
Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
But semiautomatic rifles, though used in only seven cases, killed 46 people — more than six per attack, on average.
—James Densley, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2025
Police said the investigation uncovered a series of videos, alleged to have been taken in Milpitas by the suspect or an acquaintance, showing a person repeatedly firing an semiautomatic pistol into the air and at a wall.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
According to the complaint, both Collins and Robledo carried 9-millimeter semiautomatic pistols to the protests and have lawful permits for the weapons.
—Bill Kirkos, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for semiautomatic
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Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
But semiautomatic rifles, though used in only seven cases, killed 46 people — more than six per attack, on average.
—James Densley, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2025
Police said the investigation uncovered a series of videos, alleged to have been taken in Milpitas by the suspect or an acquaintance, showing a person repeatedly firing an semiautomatic pistol into the air and at a wall.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
According to the complaint, both Collins and Robledo carried 9-millimeter semiautomatic pistols to the protests and have lawful permits for the weapons.
—Bill Kirkos, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for semiautomatic
Cite this Entry
“Semiautomatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semiautomatic. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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