pistol

noun pis·tol \ ˈpi-stᵊl \

|Updated on: 16 Aug 2018

Examples: pistol in a Sentence

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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pistol

transitive verb

See pistol defined for English-language learners

See pistol defined for kids

Examples of pistol in a Sentence

a real pistol, she dances rings around the other performers

Recent Examples of pistol from the Web

One of those persons was reportedly pistol-whipped, terrorized and robbed.

— michael mccann, SI.com, "Potential Legal Ramifications of the Disturbing Accusations Against LeSean McCoy," 11 July 2018
Four suspects accused of pistol-whipping a victim and firing a gun inside of an apartment during a home invasion robbery in June have been arrested by law enforcement, Precinct 4 tweeted.

— mayra cruz, Houston Chronicle, "Police arrest suspects in alleged violent home invasion, Precinct 4 tweets," 10 July 2018
During a search of the area where the men ran from the crash, a .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol was found in a yard close to where Betsinger was taken into custody, police said.

— megan jones, Aurora Beacon-News, "Aurora man charged with fleeing police after crashing car," 7 July 2018
South Miami police say Hovan, 32, pistol-whipped the woman before taking off with her jewelry and Mercedes Benz.

— monique o. madan, miamiherald, "He pistol-whipped a 62-year-old, cops say, then was jailed on rape and kidnapping charges," 5 July 2018
The gun, a derringer pistol, fell out onto the floor and went off, sending a bullet into the ceiling near the Sakkio Japan restaurant.

— Indianapolis Star, "6 times someone accidentally fired a gun in public in Indiana," 27 June 2018
Davis, 70, told police from a hospital bed on Sunday that two men pistol-whipped him after McDowell hugged him.

— everton bailey jr., OregonLive.com, "Man helped plan Clark County robbery that left his grandfather stabbed 15 times, records show," 12 June 2018
According to the ongoing investigation, 17-year-old Austin Wyatt Rollins parked his car at Great Mills High School at 7:50 a.m., armed with his father’s legally owned 9 mm Glock pistol.

— michael harriot, The Root, "Remember the Resource Officer Who Shot the School Shooter in Maryland? It Never Happened," 27 Mar. 2018
Trident officials said the shooting range will only make up a third of their business and will be geared toward pistols rather than rifles.

— erin sauder, Elgin Courier-News, "East Dundee to get another gun range," 13 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.

Origin and Etymology of pistol

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1560

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year