firearm

noun

fire·​arm ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌärm 

: a weapon from which a shot is discharged by gunpowder

—usually used of small arms

Synonyms of firearm

• gun

Examples of firearm in a Sentence

revolvers, rifles, and other firearms

will need a permit to carry a firearm

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the polling, Democrats can erode the GOP’s advantage on crime issues by tying Republicans’ votes against gun safety legislation to their backing from the firearms industry. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Instead, last Friday, Bommeli accepted a last-minute plea deal, pleading no contest to a lesser charge of manslaughter, desecration of a human corpse and possession of a firearm after a former felony conviction. — Veronica Fulton, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026

Prosecutors alleged that Exton walked into the restaurant with a loaded firearm, pointed it at the victim, and attempted to fire the weapon, according to an arrest warrant obtained by PEOPLE. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2026

After the vehicle left, Fallin was seen by the detective putting the firearm back in his pants and getting into his own vehicle. — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1643, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for firearm

• alarm
• disarm
• forearm
• gendarme
• nonfarm
• rearm
• arm
• charm
• farm
• harm
• underarm

Kids Definition

firearm

noun

fire·​arm ˈfī(ə)r-ˌärm 

: a weapon from which a shot is discharged by gunpowder

—usually used only of small arms