shot

noun

ˈshät 

1

a

: an action of shooting

b

: a directed propelling of a missile

specifically : a directed discharge of a firearm

c(1)

: a stroke or throw in an attempt to score points in a game (such as tennis, pool, or basketball)

also : home run

(2)

: ability to shoot

has the best shot on the team

d

: blast sense 5a

e

: a medical or narcotics injection

2

a

plural shot : something propelled by shooting

especially : small lead or steel pellets especially forming a charge for a shotgun

b

: a metal sphere of iron or brass that is heaved in the shot put

3

a

: the distance that a missile is or can be thrown

b

: range, reach

4

: a charge to be paid : scot

5

: one that shoots

especially : marksman

6

a

: attempt, try

give it a shot

b

: guess, conjecture

c

: chance sense 4a

a shot at winning the prize

d

: a single appearance as an entertainer

did a guest shot for the program

7

: an effective remark

especially : swipe sense 2

a parting shot

8

a

: a single photographic exposure

especially : snapshot

b

: a single sequence of a movie or a television program shot by one camera without interruption

9

: a charge of explosives

10

a

: a small measure or serving (such as one ounce) of undiluted liquor or other beverage

vodka shots

a shot of espresso

b

: a small amount applied at one time : dose

a shot of fertilizer

a shot of humor

11

shot plural : sprinkles, jimmies

see also:

like a shot shot in the arm shot in the dark

Phrases

a shot

: for each one : apiece

Synonyms of shot

• firing
• blasting

Examples of shot in a Sentence

cannon operators often had to use several shots to figure out the range of their targets

let's take another shot at the puzzle

Recent Examples on the Web

Then, the magic comes in the editing room, piecing together the story to say something bigger than one shot ever could. —Jared Weiss, New York Times, 8 June 2026

The catcher was hitless in his previous 30 at-bats before connecting for his first homer this season Saturday night, a two-run shot in the seventh inning of a 3-2 win that stopped San Diego's six-game losing streak. —Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 8 June 2026

Fortunately for the Cubs’ shortstop, Popovich’s aim was as wild as her mane of chestnut hair; one bullet struck his right hand, another struck his left, and a third shot nicked him on the right side, but nowhere near a vital organ. —Literary Hub, 8 June 2026

The Fire defense smothered her, and while Erica Wheeler and Ogwumike made some shots early, the Sparks mostly didn’t make Portland pay for doubling up their star. —Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English sceot, scot; akin to Old High German scuz, Old Norse skot shot, Old English scēotan to shoot — more at shoot

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing shot

• allergy shot
• angle shot
• approach shot
• a shot across the/someone's bow(s)
• bank shot
• big shot
• booster shot
• by a long shot
• cheap shot
• chip shot
• combination shot
• counter-shot
• crack shot
• creep shot
• dolly shot
• draw shot
• drop shot
• dunk shot
• establishing shot
• follow shot
• foul shot
• get/be shot of
• give (something) a shot
• head shot
• hook shot
• jump shot
• like a shot
• long shot
• make the shot
• money shot
• moon shot
• mug shot
• not by a long shot
• one-shot
• one-shot deal
• parting shot
• passing shot
• penalty shot
• pitch shot
• rim shot
• set shot
• shot clock
• shot hole
• shot in the arm
• shot in the dark
• shot put
• slap shot
• split shot
• take a shot
• tee shot
• the shot put
• took a parting shot
• tracking shot
• wood shot
• wrist shot

Rhymes for shot

• aught
• baht
• blot
• bott
• bought
• brought
• caught
• clot
• cot
• cott
• dot
• fought

Kids Definition

shot

1 of 3 noun

ˈshät 

1

a

: an action of shooting

b

: an aimed discharge of a weapon (as a gun or cannon)

c

: a stroke or throw in a game

especially : an attempt at scoring

d

: an injection of something (as a medicine or vaccine) into the body

penicillin shots

2

a

plural shot : something sent by shooting

especially : small lead or steel pellets forming a charge for a shotgun

b

: a heavy metal ball thrown for distance in the shot put

3

: the flight of a missile or the distance it travels : range

within rifle shot

4

: a person who shoots

a good shot

5

a

: attempt entry 2 sense 1, try

take another shot at the puzzle

b

: chance

has a good shot at winning

6

a

: photograph entry 1

b

: a single portion of a movie or a television program shot by one camera without stopping

7

a

: a small measure or amount of alcoholic liquor

b

: a small amount applied at one time : dose

shot

2 of 3

past and past participle of shoot

shot

3 of 3 adjective

1

: marked or streaked with a different color

blue shot with silver

hair shot with gray

2

: brought to a state of ruin or uselessness

my nerves were shot

the tires are shot

Medical Definition

shot

1 of 2 noun

ˈshät 

: an injection of a drug, immunizing substance, nutrient, or medicament

a tetanus shot

see booster shot, flu shot

shot

2 of 2

past and past part of shoot