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 mayor said the suspect used a 9-mm pistol belonging to his father, a Department of Education employee, after breaking into a vault where the firearm had been stored and bringing it to school. — CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026

Court documents report the shooting involved a Taurus TS9 9mm pistol. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 18 Sep. 2026

The victim said the assailant then struck his companion in the forehead with the pistol, stole his wallet and ran. — Rafael Escalera Montoto, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026

Notably, the affidavit does not say agents saw Nanhoe purchase the nine rifles or six pistols later discovered in the shipment. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 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"