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
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Langworthy has been charged with murder, possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon and having an assault weapon later discovered during a search of his home, according to court records. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025 In 2024, Gallup reported that 56% of Americans support stricter gun sales laws and 52% support an assault weapons ban. Scott Peters, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2025 The 1994 federal assault weapons ban exemplifies regulatory efforts to curb overall gun violence. Gregory P. Magarian, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025 What happened next, according to first responders, Jasper's aunt Amber Rosen, churchgoers, hospital officials and family members of those impacted, is a blur of violence and terror with the pop-pop-pop of an assault weapon and thick black smoke from fire hanging in the air. Georgea Kovanis, Freep.com, 5 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for assault weapon

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of assault weapon was in 1968

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Cite this Entry

“Assault weapon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assault%20weapon. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

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