flintlock

noun

flint·​lock ˈflint-ˌläk 

1

: a lock for a gun or pistol having a flint in the hammer for striking a spark to ignite the charge

2

: a firearm fitted with a flintlock

Illustration of flintlock

• flintlock 2

Examples of flintlock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Smoke billowed from his flintlock and Rhoades didn’t see where the buck ran after the shot. — Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 28 Jan. 2026

Modern gun technologies are far, far more deadly than the one-shot flintlocks of the 18th century—shouldn’t that matter? — Robert J. Spitzer, Time, 6 June 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for flintlock

• alcock
• beanstalk
• bedrock
• boardwalk
• catwalk
• cornstalk
• crosswalk
• deadlock
• feedstock
• fetlock
• goshawk
• graywacke

Kids Definition

flintlock

noun

flint·​lock ˈflint-ˌläk 

1

: a lock for a gun using a flint to ignite the charge

2

: a gun fitted with a flintlock