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 gunman in that case was armed with a semi-automatic pistol and allegedly had extensive conversations with ChatGPT about how to use the weapon most effectively . —Anat Lior, Fortune, 30 May 2026

Below these words was a drawing of a pistol with a bullet being ejected from the barrel. —Phillip M. Carter, The Conversation, 28 May 2026

That’s when Talley allegedly pulled the pistol out from under a blanket, shooting one officer in the face and a second in the chin, authorities said. —Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026

After police spoke to the teen and his family, but before police sought the emergency court order to confiscate guns, the father and his wife voluntarily stored 26 weapons — pistols, rifles and shotguns — with a licensed gun dealer, according to filings in the father’s case. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 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"