pistol

noun

pis·​tol ˈpi-stᵊl 

1

: a handgun whose chamber is integral with the barrel

broadly : handgun

2

: a notably sharp, spirited, or energetic person

pistol transitive verb

Synonyms of pistol

• dynamo

Examples of pistol in a Sentence

a real pistol, she dances rings around the other performers

Recent Examples on the Web

The resident told deputies Henrichsen had a visible pistol in his pocket. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026

Foster-Todd still had his pistol in his left hand, held against his chest. — Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 22 July 2026

Police said officers also found an AR-style pistol inside a backpack on the rear seat and recovered a shell casing from inside the vehicle. — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 20 July 2026

Surveillance footage reviewed by the FBI showed Lopez was armed with what appeared to be a black pistol. — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 18 July 2026

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

Phrases Containing pistol

• machine pistol
• pistol grip
• pistol-whip
• Very pistol
• water pistol

Rhymes for pistol

• distal
• pistil
• polycrystal

Kids Definition

pistol

noun

pis·​tol ˈpis-tᵊl 

: 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"