assault rifle

noun

: any of various intermediate-range, magazine-fed military rifles (such as the AK-47) that can be set for automatic or semiautomatic fire
also : a rifle that resembles a military assault rifle but is designed to allow only semiautomatic fire

Examples of assault rifle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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There is also the church member who was divinely positioned to see the assailant approaching the church in full tactical gear, including an assault rifle, and acted swiftly to hit him with his truck, injuring him. Nick Lentz, CBS News, 24 June 2025 Figgs fired at least three bullets from an assault rifle at Deputy Joe Kill, who was struck with shrapnel near his right collar bone. Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 18 June 2025 At some point, five federal agents, most of them armed with assault rifles, approached the crowd as the government vehicles reversed and exited through another street. Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025 And soldiers now routinely carry shotguns along with their assault rifles. Liubov Sholudko Nicole Tung, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for assault rifle

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of assault rifle was in 1950

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Cite this Entry

“Assault rifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assault%20rifle. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

assault rifle

noun
: any of various especially automatic rifles designed for military use

called also assault weapon

More from Merriam-Webster on assault rifle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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