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
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.
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 In a plea deal with prosecutors, Sir Cameron Young, 23, pleaded no contest to an assault weapon possession charge in exchange for the probation sentence. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025 But on Sunday morning, a visitor took advantage of the church’s open arms – plowing his truck into an LDS chapel in Michigan, shooting worshippers with an assault weapon and setting the building on fire. Holly Yan, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025 The House is currently tied 67-67 — part of the power-sharing agreement under the tie is that committees are co-chaired with equal GOP-to-DFL representation — meaning any assault weapons ban would need at least one Republican vote in several committees to make it to a floor vote. Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 25 Sep. 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 Oct. 2025.

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