small arm

noun

: a handheld firearm (such as a handgun or shoulder arm)

—usually used in plural

Synonyms of small arm

• firearm
• gun

Examples of small arm in a Sentence

the soldiers keep their small arms securely in their holsters when not on patrol

Recent Examples on the Web

Those roads and trails are often where vehicles become vulnerable to artillery, drones, mines, and small arms fire. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026

The roadmap speaks of the new administration empowering individual Palestinians to keep their small arms. — Dan Williams, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026

Firefly enables precision strikes, achieving 2-7 feet accuracy from high altitudes (600-2000+ feet), thereby reducing vulnerability to small arms fire and jamming. — David Hambling, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

The area is also often used for smuggling of wildlife and small arms, the report says. — ABC News, 21 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1674, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for small arm

• alarm
• disarm
• forearm
• gendarme
• nonfarm
• rearm
• charm
• farm
• harm
• firearm
• underarm

Kids Definition

small arm

noun

: a firearm fired while held in the hands

—usually used in plural