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
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.
In the car, officers found a safe, all of the children's passports as well as Jenny Boelter's, about $10,000 in cash, a revolver pistol in the glove box and another semi-automatic pistol in a cooler, the FBI said in the complaint. N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 27 June 2025 He was then stopped again by police in his hometown of Murfreesboro, where police took another pistol off him. Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025 Five agents — several covering their faces with gaiters and armed with pistols — stood between the vehicles. Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025 This might be the starter pistol for more serious iPhone 16e discounts in the coming months. Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for pistol

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pistol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pistol. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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