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
In 2021, the state passed a law allowing prisoners to choose the firing squad as a method of execution, in addition to the electric chair and lethal injection.
—
Chiara Eisner, NPR, 8 May 2025
In lieu of a lengthy appeals process, Gilmore opted for a firing squad and was executed in 1977.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2025
Mahdi can choose to die by lethal injection, the electric chair or a firing squad.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2025
King said that Sigmon chose firing squad due to concerns with the use of lethal injection in South Carolina's last three executions.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
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.
Chiara Eisner, NPR, 8 May 2025
In lieu of a lengthy appeals process, Gilmore opted for a firing squad and was executed in 1977.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2025
Mahdi can choose to die by lethal injection, the electric chair or a firing squad.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2025
King said that Sigmon chose firing squad due to concerns with the use of lethal injection in South Carolina's last three executions.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
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 12 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share