gunman

noun

gun·​man ˈgən-mən 

1

: a man armed with a gun

especially : a professional killer

2

: a man noted for speed or skill in handling a gun

Examples of gunman in a Sentence

They were shot by an unknown gunman.

Recent Examples on the Web

Some witnesses said the gunman stood over Foreman and fired into his chest at point-blank range. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

An armed security guard confronted the gunman inside the cafeteria, where the two exchanged fire. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026

The 16-year-old gunman killed three students – ages 5, 8 and 11 – and a 25-year-old teacher before Giamanco rushed into the school and shot him. — Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2026

The gunman had driven over several medians and a grassy area, crashed through a fence and came to a stop in a courtyard where people were having lunch. — Joe Sutton, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

gunman

noun

gun·​man -mən 

: a person armed with a gun

especially : an armed criminal