pistol

noun

pis·tol | \ ˈpi-stᵊl

Definition of pistol

1 : a handgun whose chamber is integral with the barrel broadly : handgun

2 : a notably sharp, spirited, or energetic person

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Examples of pistol in a Sentence

a real pistol, she dances rings around the other performers

Recent Examples on the Web

Authorities said DeWayne Craddock, 40, walked into the public works building Friday afternoon and used two .45-caliber pistols to shoot and kill a dozen people and injure others. — Washington Post, "Virginia Beach employees return to work at municipal complex after mass shooting," 4 June 2019 Kicked out of the car and set upon by the white motorman and conductor, Caldwell shot his pistol twice, killing one of his attackers. — Ursula Wolfe-rocca, Teen Vogue, "The Red Summer of 1919, Explained," 8 Apr. 2019 According to court documents cited by the Post-Dispatch, Sproling admitted to shooting Kirkwood and gave up his pistol. — Bradford Betz, Fox News, "Dispute over tools led to fatal shooting, police say," 27 Sep. 2018 Two 22-year-old men were fighting inside the Opry Mills Mall before one of them pulled out a pistol and fatally wounded the other. — Washington Post, "Fatal shooting causes pandemonium in Tennessee mall," 5 May 2018 Jones walked into the lobby and, after wandering around for a few minutes, walked directly up to Plesec, pulled a pistol and shot him in the head, prosecutors said. — Cory Shaffer, cleveland.com, "Man pleads guilty to slaying Cleveland Salvation Army worker, crime spree to avoid facing death penalty," 17 Apr. 2018 That’s when Bates pulled out the pistol and began to strike the clerk with it, witnesses and the clerk told police. — Jared Gilmour, star-telegram, "7-Eleven clerk disarmed a pistol-wielding man by tossing him through a window, Texas cops say | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 29 Mar. 2018 The other man, who hasn't been identified, pulled out a pistol and threatened store personnel, police said. — Zaz Hollander, Anchorage Daily News, "Anchorage man sought in connection to January homicide now wanted for robbery," 1 Feb. 2018 Blessing reported hiding two pistols in the pockets of her robe before confronting her sleeping son, court records show. — Nathan J. Fish, azcentral, "Sheriff: MCSO went to 92-year-old woman's home five times before son killed," 5 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pistol.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.