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 man, identified as 31-year-old Jevonn Brown of Westampton, New Jersey, then allegedly fired a pistol at the woman who was inside a car. —Patrick Damp, CBS News, 2 May 2026

Jones was arrested on charges of possession of an assault weapon, possession of a large capacity magazine, carrying a pistol without a permit and interfering with an officer. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2026

That’s the sound of the starting pistol being fired on the race to the bottom. —Robert Johnson, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2026

When the commandos reach bin Laden’s room on the third floor, an AK-47 and a Makarov pistol are seen in arm’s reach of bin Laden. —Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 1 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"