handgun

noun

hand·​gun ˈhan(d)-ˌgən How to pronounce handgun (audio)
Synonyms of handgunnext
: 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.
Noem said Pretti had approached officers with a handgun and reacted violently when agents attempted to disarm him, prompting an agent to fire in self-defense. Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026 Pretti was armed with a handgun, but video from the confrontation appears to contradict the administration’s narrative, and appears to show an officer disarming him before he is shot and killed. Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026 Trump, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, appeared to criticize Pretti for bringing a handgun to the protest. Callum Sutherland, Time, 26 Jan. 2026 Federal officials initially claimed Pretti approached agents with a handgun and resisted disarmament. Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026 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 28 Jan. 2026.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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