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handgun

noun

hand·​gun ˈhan(d)-ˌgən How to pronounce handgun (audio)
: 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
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.
Irina Vernikov, a New York City councilwoman who was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm after bringing a licensed handgun to a pro-Israel rally in 2023 amid a spike in antisemitic hate crimes in New York City, thanked Bondi for intervening in the Hawaii case. Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 25 Nov. 2025 Police said in each incident, one or two suspects wearing dark clothing and ski masks approached the victims while armed with a black handgun, demanded the victim's belongings, including their cellphones, wallets, and/or purses. Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025 Any dreams of a reunion, personal or creative, died in December 1980, when John was murdered by a stranger with a handgun in New York. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2025 The student, later identified as Peebles, was escorted to the school’s office, where an administrator found a 9 mm handgun wrapped in a T-shirt in Peebles’ backpack, according to a probable cause statement in support of Peebles’ arrest. Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 24 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for handgun

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of handgun was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Handgun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handgun. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

handgun

noun
hand·​gun ˈhan(d)-ˌgən How to pronounce handgun (audio)
: a firearm designed to be held and fired with one hand

More from Merriam-Webster on handgun

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