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

Examples of revolver in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Not only were inventions more numerous, but consequential inventions also emerged during this period, including the McCormick mechanical reaper, the Colt revolver, and Goodyear’s vulcanization process. —David H. Hsu, Fortune, 11 May 2026

The witness said the woman took offense to the comment and returned later with Clock, who allegedly demanded an apology, pulled a revolver and shot Nimmo. —Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 11 May 2026

One of the suspects, who was driving a black Cadillac Escalade SUV, was found with an unserialized revolver in the vehicle, police said. —Tim Fang, CBS News, 10 May 2026

The attack was limited by the fact that the revolver only held 5 bullets and had to be reloaded one bullet at a time, as opposed to assault rifles that often have large detachable magazines that can be clipped in and out rapidly. —The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 8 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

revolve + -er entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for revolver

• resolver
• solver

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