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

With the challenges of finding lethal injection drugs, some states are considering gas chambers and firing squads. —Kelly Puente, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

Stanko was leaning toward dying by South Carolina's new firing squad, like the past two inmates before him. —Arkansas Online, 14 June 2025

South Carolina inmates can choose their method of execution, with the electric chair and the firing squad as the other available options. —Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 9 June 2025

Idaho lawmakers first passed legislation in 2023 allowing for the firing squad as a means of execution if drugs are unavailable, or lethal injection is found to be unconstitutional. —Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 21 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for firing squad

• amphipod
• arthropod
• copepod
• decapod
• endopod
• escalade
• esplanade
• exopod
• gastropod
• goldenrod
• isopod
• overawed

Kids Definition

firing squad

noun

fir·​ing squad

ˈfī(ə)r-iŋ-

1

: a military unit assigned to fire shots over the grave of one buried with military honors

2

: a military unit assigned to carry out a sentence of death by shooting