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

Police recovered a shotgun and two handguns – including the weapon taken from one of the officers – from the suspect, and the man was taken into custody. — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026

One of the handguns belonged to one of the officers who had been shot. — James Cirrone , Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026

During the incident, one of the suspects struck the victim in the face with the handgun, causing a laceration to his forehead. — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026

When Boshar spotted him in the car, the man told police that Boshar produced a handgun and fired at the vehicle, according to the court records. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 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