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
There is no evidence of an attacker at the University of Virginia after a gunman was reported near a library on campus, according to an emergency alert from campus police.
—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
In April, gunmen believed to be Muslim herders, killed at least 40 people, including children, in a predominantly Christian farming village, the Associated Press reported.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
The gunman was hiding in the front seat.
—Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Deputies haven’t released any information about the gunman.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gunman
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N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
In April, gunmen believed to be Muslim herders, killed at least 40 people, including children, in a predominantly Christian farming village, the Associated Press reported.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
The gunman was hiding in the front seat.
—Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Deputies haven’t released any information about the gunman.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gunman
Cite this Entry
“Gunman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gunman. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gunman
noun
gun·man
-mən 
: a person armed with a gun
especially
: an armed criminal
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