water cannon

noun

: a large truck-mounted nozzle for directing a high-pressure stream of water (as at a crowd of rioters or demonstrators)

Examples of water cannon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Since then, according to Manila, China’s coast guard has regularly harassed Philippine fishing vessels in the fertile waters near Scarborough Shoal – most recently on February 22 – and fired water cannon on Philippine ships resupplying a military outpost in the Second Thomas Shoal. Kathleen Magramo, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 China used a water cannon eight times on the fishing vessels in the first mission, and then four times on the resupply mission. Regine Cabato, Washington Post, 11 Dec. 2023 In Istanbul, Turkish security forces used water cannon and pepper spray to disperse protesters who managed to force their way into a compound where the Israeli consulate is located. Kathleen Magramo, CNN, 18 Oct. 2023 New allies, new strategy The water cannon incident probably went further than any other event this year in galvanizing anti-China sentiment in the Marcos administration and in the Philippine public, said political analysts and diplomats. Christian Shepherd, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2023 With two different size slides, two climbing walls, a splash pool, fountains, a basketball rim, lounger, and a water cannon, more really is more with this backyard water park. Jayla Andrulonis, Parents, 18 June 2023 Police officials responded to the violent demonstrations with tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannon. Misty Severi, Washington Examiner, 1 May 2023 Imagine the lightest discernible breath of air on a calm day compared to the force of a powerful water cannon. Peter Tuthill, Scientific American, 15 Aug. 2023 Israeli security forces use a water cannon to disperse demonstrators blocking the entrance to parliament. Patrick Smith, NBC News, 24 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'water cannon.' 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

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of water cannon was in 1891

Dictionary Entries Near water cannon

Cite this Entry

“Water cannon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20cannon. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!