revolver

noun

re·​volv·​er ri-ˈväl-vər 

-ˈvȯl-,

 also  -ˈvä-vər,

 or  -ˈvȯ-vər

1

: one that revolves

2

: a handgun with a cylinder of several chambers brought successively into line with the barrel and discharged with the same hammer

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

His cold dead hands, eternally empty, are moments away from either forming two fists or drawing the revolver on his hip. —Laura Jedeed, The New Republic, 3 Jan. 2023

Casagrande said the semiautomatic weapon belonged to the military police, while the revolver was a personal weapon registered in the name of the former student’s father, a military police officer. —Carla Bridi, ajc, 26 Nov. 2022

It’s 5,000 miles and six months distant from the events of Oct. 2021 on the New Mexico set of Rust, when Alec Baldwin, discharged a live round from a revolver used as a prop gun killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Nov. 2022

Steinheil claimed that four strangers in black robes, including a red-haired woman with a revolver, had entered the house at night and robbed them. —Moira Hodgson, WSJ, 28 Sep. 2022

The second man enlisted a third — but when Harris wanted the guns back later that night, the third man couldn't find them, and Harris shot him dead with a revolver. —Jeff Truesdell, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2022

Several shots were fired by the man with the revolver, but nobody was injured. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Aug. 2022

What is the slang name for an FBI service revolver? —Pat Myers, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2022

One of the sales, for a revolver, occurred on April 27, according to the complaint. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2022

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Word History

Etymology

revolve + -er entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

revolver

noun

re·​volv·​er ri-ˈväl-vər 

-ˈvȯl-

: a handgun having a revolving cylinder holding several bullets all of which may be shot without loading again