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

But these shotgun and pistol runs are largely pointless, especially when the opponent isn’t worried about deep passing. —Michael Salfino, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025

Rodgers, already playing with a broken left wrist, was forced to take snaps in the pistol or shotgun formations and was given a bloody cut on the bridge of his nose when he was hit by Bills defensive end Joey Bosa. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 Dec. 2025

The Jedi minifigure fits inside the cockpit, and the set also comes with an X-wing jetpack, lightsaber, and stud-shooting blaster pistol. —Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 30 Nov. 2025

But the gun has more limited ammunition compared to semi-automatic pistols that can carry 10 to 17 founds or more. —Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 28 Nov. 2025

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"