firing squad
noun
1
: a detachment detailed to fire volleys over the grave of one buried with military honors
2
: a detachment detailed to carry out a sentence of death by shooting
Examples of firing squad in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
His grandfather, who told him to never go to Cuba, witnessed his siblings executive by firing squads.
—
Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
March 31, 2015 Prosecutors ask that Mack and Schaefer be spared the maximum possible penalty — death by firing squad — if the three-judge panel convicts the young couple of killing Mack’s mother.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
At Nuremberg, the Allies opted for trials instead of firing squads.
—Matt K. Lewis, Twin Cities, 22 Feb. 2026
The state is now in the process of transitioning from lethal injection to a firing squad as its lead execution method.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for firing squad
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.
Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
March 31, 2015 Prosecutors ask that Mack and Schaefer be spared the maximum possible penalty — death by firing squad — if the three-judge panel convicts the young couple of killing Mack’s mother.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
At Nuremberg, the Allies opted for trials instead of firing squads.
—Matt K. Lewis, Twin Cities, 22 Feb. 2026
The state is now in the process of transitioning from lethal injection to a firing squad as its lead execution method.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for firing squad
Cite this Entry
“Firing squad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firing%20squad. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
