gunman

noun

gun·​man ˈgən-mən How to pronounce gunman (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Kirk was shot and killed by a gunman at a Utah university while speaking to students. Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025 The ongoing impact was voiced by Amy Franco, a teacher at Robb who raised the alarm that the gunman had come onto campus and inside the school. Shimon Prokupecz, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025 Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed by a gunman at their home in Brooklyn Park on June 14. Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 9 Sep. 2025 Surveillance footage released by police captured part of the shooting and the gunman fleeing the scene. Mike Stunson, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gunman

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gunman was in 1624

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gunman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gunman. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

gunman

noun
gun·​man -mən How to pronounce gunman (audio)
: a person armed with a gun
especially : an armed criminal

More from Merriam-Webster on gunman

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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