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
Video from that day shows a chaotic crime scene, with officers armed with assault rifles.
—
Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
One of them carried an assault rifle, later determined to be an AR-15, its strap slung high across his chest.
—Scott Eden, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026
As the New Year is announced, the video shows two large assault rifles lying on the hood of a car then a man in a black hoodie shooting several rounds off the side of the highway to the ground below.
—Timia Cobb
breaking News Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
That sweep drew instant protesters, including at least one person carrying what appeared to be an assault rifle.
—Amanda Luberto, AZCentral.com, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for assault rifle
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
One of them carried an assault rifle, later determined to be an AR-15, its strap slung high across his chest.
—Scott Eden, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026
As the New Year is announced, the video shows two large assault rifles lying on the hood of a car then a man in a black hoodie shooting several rounds off the side of the highway to the ground below.
—Timia Cobb
breaking News Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
That sweep drew instant protesters, including at least one person carrying what appeared to be an assault rifle.
—Amanda Luberto, AZCentral.com, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for assault rifle
Cite this Entry
“Assault rifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assault%20rifle. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
