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

Authorities say Ortiz raked Rihanna’s home and an Airstream trailer parked on her Beverly Crest property with bullets from an assault rifle March 8. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026

The first incident occurred Saturday evening when eight gunmen armed with assault rifles stormed a bar west of Johannesburg and shot 17 people and wounded 15 others. — CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026

The need for any person to openly brandish a sidearm or a person to carry an assault rifle on his shoulder is absolute insanity. — Dan Sweeney, Sun Sentinel, 22 Sep. 2026

The arrest Saturday of a Florida man who was allegedly carrying an assault rifle in his luggage offered a stark reminder of the challenges facing the country. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for assault rifle

• hyphal
• stifle
• trifle

Kids Definition

assault rifle

noun

: any of various especially automatic rifles designed for military use

called also assault weapon