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
California’s 1989 assault weapons ban prohibits AR-15 models and other semiautomatic firearms with certain features in addition to fully automatic firearms.
—
Gabrielle Lamarr Lemee, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
In December 2022, Lanez was convicted of three felonies for shooting Megan, including assault with a semiautomatic firearm that left the hip-hop star with bullet fragments in her feet.
—Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024
The semiautomatic rifles that have wrought human carnage from an elementary school in Newtown, Conn., to a Walmart in El Paso are also being used to menace the Haitian government and terrorize the population.
—Amanda Coletta, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
Youngkin also signed identical House and Senate bills prohibiting the manufacture, sale or possession of an auto sear, a device used to convert a semiautomatic firearm into an automatic weapon.
—Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
Illinois - Bans sale or possession of semiautomatic weapons, with certain exceptions.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2024
Another Alpha Project security guard was grazed in the leg by a bullet, and both defendants were convicted of assault with a semiautomatic firearm for his injuries.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024
The case hinges on whether bump stocks convert semiautomatic rifles into machine guns.
—Abbie Vansickle, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2024
Healer, who has a long criminal history, pleaded guilty last year to trafficking fentanyl, meth and heroin while armed with a semiautomatic rifle and is slated to be sentenced in April.
—Beth Warren, The Courier-Journal, 21 Feb. 2024
Gabrielle Lamarr Lemee, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
In December 2022, Lanez was convicted of three felonies for shooting Megan, including assault with a semiautomatic firearm that left the hip-hop star with bullet fragments in her feet.
—Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024
The semiautomatic rifles that have wrought human carnage from an elementary school in Newtown, Conn., to a Walmart in El Paso are also being used to menace the Haitian government and terrorize the population.
—Amanda Coletta, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
Youngkin also signed identical House and Senate bills prohibiting the manufacture, sale or possession of an auto sear, a device used to convert a semiautomatic firearm into an automatic weapon.
—Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
Illinois - Bans sale or possession of semiautomatic weapons, with certain exceptions.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2024
Another Alpha Project security guard was grazed in the leg by a bullet, and both defendants were convicted of assault with a semiautomatic firearm for his injuries.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024
The case hinges on whether bump stocks convert semiautomatic rifles into machine guns.
—Abbie Vansickle, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2024
Healer, who has a long criminal history, pleaded guilty last year to trafficking fentanyl, meth and heroin while armed with a semiautomatic rifle and is slated to be sentenced in April.
—Beth Warren, The Courier-Journal, 21 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'semiautomatic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1853, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near semiautomatic
Cite this Entry
“Semiautomatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semiautomatic. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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