gun

1 of 2

noun

ˈgən

Synonyms of gun next

: a piece of ordnance usually with high muzzle velocity and comparatively flat trajectory

: a portable firearm (such as a rifle or handgun)

: a device that throws a projectile

: a discharge of a gun especially as a salute or signal

: a signal marking a beginning or ending

: hunter

: gunman

: something suggesting a gun in shape or function

: throttle

slang : a person's arm

specifically : an arm that has well-defined muscles

—usually plural

Conor was spotted rowing away from The Loeb Boathouse in Central Park Saturday with his girlfriend, Dee Devlin, and their cute son, Conor Jr. The famous fighter showed off his guns while handling the oars for his crew. —

TMZ.com The Heisman Trophy-winning and former NFL quarterback worked the stage the way he probably jabs through the weight room—whilst checking out his guns in the mirror … —

Tory Barron

gunned

ˈgənd

adjective

gun

2 of 2

verb

gunned; gunning

transitive verb

: to fire on

: shoot

gunned down by a hit man

: to open up the throttle of so as to increase speed

gun the engine

: fire sense 3b

gunned the ball to first base

intransitive verb

: to hunt with a gun

Phrases

under the gun

: under pressure or attack

gun for

: to aim at or go after with determination or effort

Did you know?

A ballista (a large missile-thrower in the form of a crossbow) that defended Windsor Castle in the 14th century was named in Latin Domina Gunilda, or “Lady Gunilda.” Gunilda is an Old Norse name and is a compound of gunnr and hildr, both words meaning “battle.” The English may have learned the name from early Norsemen who knew its etymological significance, or its use by the English may have been a coincidence. However, the use of this name for the Windsor ballista was not an isolated incident. Gonnylyde was the name of a cannon in a 14th century song. Our word gun, which also traces back to the 14th century, is probably a shortening of Gunilda.

Example Sentences

Noun a gun battle between gang members and the police She claimed that the gun went off accidentally. Verb She let the car coast down the hill, then gunned it. The shortstop gunned the ball to first base.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The following day, Swervin’ Through Stress will partner with Free Root Operations Bloom Program to service women affected by gun violence. —

Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 17 May 2023 One of the guns was an assault-style rifle – a weapon of choice among US mass shooters in recent, high-profile massacres, including the 2012 Sandy Hook school attack and a shooting in Uvalde, Texas, nearly a year ago that left 19 children and two teachers dead. —

Steve Almasy, CNN, 17 May 2023 Grizzlies suspend star after another gun video surfaces on Instagram Live OPINION: Forget basketball. —

Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY, 17 May 2023 The gun belongs to a relative staying with the family, the father told the station. —

Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 17 May 2023 Mass shootings and gun violence in the U.S. could damage the 2026 World Cup bottom line. —

Laura Blasey, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2023 The man approached the front door and raised a gun toward the officers, police said. —

Ellie Willard, The Arizona Republic, 16 May 2023 According to the criminal complaint: Officers were dispatched to John Long Middle School on May 12 at 11 a.m. after a parent reported to police that her son told her that a teacher was making threatening statements to students about both guns and physically harming them. —

Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 16 May 2023 Representatives for Music Midtown did not immediately respond to Rolling Stone‘s request for comment regarding local gun laws impacting the festival’s return. —

Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2023

Verb

His foot stays on the gas, gunning it toward the middle of the road. —

Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 May 2023 Ryan and his friend spent more than an hour digging and gunning the engine, but the truck remained stuck. —

Thallman, oregonlive, 18 Mar. 2023 Novas can't get into a rhythm offensively despite getting to the basket, and West Salem is running and gunning. —

Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2023 Edward climbed into his car, gunned the motor, and drove away. —

Steve Rosen, Variety, 10 Mar. 2023 Meanwhile, House Republicans are gunning for the Jan. 6 investigation. —

Will Carless, USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2023 Carson Kelly, whom Lovullo and General Manager Mike Hazen expect to be the early season starter, is approximately league average at gunning runners down. —

The Arizona Republic, 18 Feb. 2023 The white power structure in America conspired to gun him down. —

Stephanie Toone, ajc, 22 Feb. 2021 However, if lake run fish is more your thing then these ultralight reels are under gunned. —

Max Inchausti, Field & Stream, 10 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gun.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.