pistol

noun

pis·​tol ˈpi-stᵊl How to pronounce pistol (audio)
1
: a handgun whose chamber is integral with the barrel
broadly : handgun
2
: a notably sharp, spirited, or energetic person
pistol transitive verb

Examples of pistol in a Sentence

a real pistol, she dances rings around the other performers
Recent Examples on the Web In a search last Friday, the memo said, investigators found a starter pistol in his mother’s home, which does not appear to be the gun fired on Jan. 6 but still qualifies as a firearm under federal law. Tom Jackman, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 His lawsuit — supported by Everytown's litigation arm — alleges Pennsylvania ghost gun kits seller JSD Supply (JSD) illegally sold parts to a Michigan minor, who then assembled a pistol and fired it at Boyd's right eye in an incident the suit describes as a foreseeable and preventable accident. Detroit Free Press, 12 Mar. 2024 As Hamid turned to greet him, the man fired a pistol. Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Later, Abu-Rayyan posted photos of himself in fatigues, brandishing a pistol, and giving a one-finger ISIS salute to the camera. Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2024 He was found hiding in the bushes near an apartment complex with a hunting knife and a .32-caliber pistol. Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2024 There really are no advantages to having a blank in a pistol versus an Airsoft gun [which replicates the action of a real firearm without using projectiles]. Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2024 Many players had issues with the recoil changes to pistols and shotguns in the patch, and questioned why these were made at all given most weapons seemed to be in a good place. Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 While the men grappled over the pistol, Fierro turned the firearm toward Alvarez and pulled the trigger, Alvarez testified. City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pistol.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French pistole, from German, from Middle High German pischulle, from Czech píšt'ala, literally, pipe, fife; akin to Czech pištět to squeak

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pistol was circa 1560

Dictionary Entries Near pistol

Cite this Entry

“Pistol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pistol. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pistol

noun
pis·​tol ˈpis-tᵊl How to pronounce pistol (audio)
: a short firearm made to be aimed and fired with one hand
Etymology

from early French pistole "pistol," from German pistole (same meaning), derived from Czech píšt'ala, literally, "pipe, fife"

More from Merriam-Webster on pistol

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