Entry Word: gun

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 a portable weapon from which a shot is discharged by gunpowder <while her father preferred hunting with a crossbow, she preferred a gun>

Synonyms arm, firearm, piece, small arm

Related Words forty-five (or .45), gat [slang], handgun, pistol, revolver, rod [slang], six-gun, six-shooter, zip gun; blunderbuss, flintlock, harquebus (or arquebus), matchlock, musket, muzzle-loader, rifle, shotgun; automatic, machine gun, repeater, submachine gun, tommy gun; speargun

2 guns plurallarge firearms (as cannon or rockets) <the field commander called for the big guns to be deployed for battle> — see artillery