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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
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.
South Carolina legalized firing squads in 2021 and began using the method this year, executing two inmates in April and May. Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 15 Nov. 2025 Bryant chose to die by firing squad over lethal injection and the electric chair last month. Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 15 Nov. 2025 She was sentenced to die by firing squad and Indonesia’s highest court upheld it in 2013. CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025 Utah is one of five states—along with Idaho, Mississippi, Oklahoma and South Carolina—that authorize the use of firing squads in certain circumstances. Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for firing squad

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of firing squad was in 1864

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Cite this Entry

“Firing squad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firing%20squad. Accessed 28 Nov. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on firing squad

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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