assault weapon

noun

: any of various automatic or semiautomatic firearms

especially : assault rifle

Examples of assault weapon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Valdez was booked on suspicion of brandishing a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of an assault weapon and possession of a suppressor. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026

Sheriff’s officials said he previously had been arrested on suspicion of possessing an assault weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm. — Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026

After Kendall’s defense petitioned for weapons charges to be tried in front of a judge rather than a jury, he was also found guilty of possessing an assault weapon. — Eleanor Jacobs, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026

The high court will again focus on Illinois next session, examining whether Cook County's assault weapons ban is constitutional. — Chris Tye, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above