single-action

adjective

sin·​gle-ac·​tion ˈsiŋ-gəl-ˈak-shən How to pronounce single-action (audio)
of a revolver
: that can be cocked only by manually retracting the hammer

Examples of single-action in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Baldwin was sitting on a pew in a rustic church, slowly pulling his single-action Colt .45 revolver from his leather shoulder holster and pointing it toward the camera. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024 But somehow, that gun was fired and, to this day, Tex can not answer this question: Maureen Maher: Was the gun in single-action or double-action? Maureen Maher, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2024 The career uncertainty is not April 20, 2023 An FBI ballistics expert also tested the weapon — a replica of a vintage .45 Colt single-action revolver made by weapons manufacturer Pietta. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'single-action.' 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

1900, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of single-action was in 1900

Dictionary Entries Near single-action

Cite this Entry

“Single-action.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/single-action. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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