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

According to initial police reports, the man sitting in the driver’s seat was pistol whipped and robbed of his wallet that contained cash and other personal items. —Harry Harris, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026

As gunfire erupts, the footage shows an arm extending through the doorway, pointing a Glock pistol into the hallway where McCollum is standing. —Chase Rogers, Dallas Morning News, 4 Feb. 2026

At that point, the Grand Blanc police officer approached, and a church member also approached the scene, holding a pistol. —Paula Wethington, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026

Police also found a 9-mm Mossberg semi-automatic pistol and Remington shotgun elsewhere in the house. —Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 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"