firearm

noun

fire·​arm ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌärm 

: a weapon from which a shot is discharged by gunpowder

—usually used of small arms

Synonyms

• 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

In January 2010, former All-Star Gilbert Arenas was arrested in violation of gun control laws after he and a teammate, Javaris Crittenton, took firearms to the Washington Wizards’ locker room as a result of a gambling dispute. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025

Police found a firearm in the vehicle, the release says. —Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2025

Mangione faces a slew of charges in New York, Pennsylvania and at the federal level, including interstate stalking, the use of a firearm to commit a murder and second-degree murder. —Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025

Cullen, the federal judge in Charlotte, reduced McClure’s sentence on his guilty plea of possessing a firearm as a felon. —Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1643, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for firearm

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

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