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
Last year, his office opposed a measure that would’ve significantly limited the sale of semiautomatic rifles.
—
Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
Republicans are against proposals backed by the DFL including a a ban on semiautomatic rifles with features like pistol-grips and detachable magazines, often described as assault weapons, as well as limiting magazine capacity to 10 rounds.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 27 Mar. 2026
From the operation, the defense ministry said officials found a semiautomatic rifle and a magazine with 30 cartridges in the area of operations, which wasn’t disclosed in prior announcements.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
Oakland Police Department The searches also yielded six dirt bikes, one vehicle, two semiautomatic pistols and an assault rifle.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for semiautomatic
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Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
Republicans are against proposals backed by the DFL including a a ban on semiautomatic rifles with features like pistol-grips and detachable magazines, often described as assault weapons, as well as limiting magazine capacity to 10 rounds.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 27 Mar. 2026
From the operation, the defense ministry said officials found a semiautomatic rifle and a magazine with 30 cartridges in the area of operations, which wasn’t disclosed in prior announcements.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
Oakland Police Department The searches also yielded six dirt bikes, one vehicle, two semiautomatic pistols and an assault rifle.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for semiautomatic
Cite this Entry
“Semiautomatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semiautomatic. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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