handgun

noun

hand·​gun ˈhan(d)-ˌgən 

: a firearm (such as a revolver or pistol) designed to be held and fired with one hand

Examples of handgun in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to police, the gun was a Sar USA SAR9 handgun loaded with seventeen rounds of live ammunition. — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 24 Aug. 2026

Grayson threatened to shoot her, drew his handgun and ordered her to drop the pot. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

According to German media, the cache in Berlin contained two handguns and ammunition. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 21 Aug. 2026

Inside the gun safe, charges say officers found empty magazines for two handguns but not the guns. — Riley Moser, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for handgun

• begun
• grandson
• gudrun
• homespun
• outdone
• outrun
• pashtun
• redone
• rerun
• shotgun
• someone
• stepson

Kids Definition

handgun

noun

hand·​gun ˈhan(d)-ˌgən 

: a firearm designed to be held and fired with one hand