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

According to prosecutors, a group of gunmen later tracked Bowman to Los Angeles in 2022, then stalked and ambushed him at a gas station near the Beverly Center, firing at least 18 rounds from multiple weapons, including a machine gun. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2026

About seven months later, a gunman in Philadelphia shot six police officers during another drug warrant execution. — Cal Chengqi Fang, The Conversation, 14 July 2026

On Sunday, July 28, the final afternoon of the event, a gunman killed three people — Stephen Romero, 6, of San Jose; Keyla Salazar, 13, of San Jose; and Trevor Irby, 25, of Santa Cruz — and wounded 17 others. — Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 13 July 2026

Less than three weeks ago, the country was devastated by another mass shooting when a gunman opened fire in Montreal. — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 12 July 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