gunshot

noun

gun·​shot ˈgən-ˌshät 

1

: shot or a projectile fired from a gun

2

: the range of a gun

3

: the firing of a gun

Examples of gunshot in a Sentence

He was killed by a gunshot to the head.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the wake of a gunshot being fired near the South Allegheny football game against Elizabeth Forward late last month, the district implemented new safety protocols, which include metal detectors and bag checks. — Mike Darnay, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026

Mizzou running back Ahmad Hardy, a preseason All-American, is out after suffering a gunshot wound in the offseason. — Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Five years ago, the first gunshots were reported in a 911 call shortly before midnight in the 5900 block of Tangerine Avenue in Sacramento’s Parkway neighborhood. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Police pronounced Hayes dead from a gunshot wound within 9 minutes of the 911 call. — Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for gunshot

• allot
• barat
• begot
• besought
• bethought
• bloodshot
• boycott
• buckshot
• crackpot
• croat
• culottes
• dashpot

Kids Definition

gunshot

noun

gun·​shot -ˌshät 

1

: shot fired from a gun

2

: the range of a gun

within gunshot

3

: the firing of a gun