rifling

noun

ri·​fling ˈrī-f(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce rifling (audio)
1
: the act or process of making spiral grooves
2
: a system of spiral grooves in the surface of the bore of a gun causing a projectile when fired to rotate about its longer axis

Examples of rifling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This also engages the rifling for accuracy-inducing spin. T. Logan Metesh, Field & Stream, 4 Oct. 2023 Apply the search filter to narrow down your virtual rifling. Annie O’Sullivan, Good Housekeeping, 11 July 2023 Extending the forcing cone gives the slug a better transition into the rifling, Klotz says. Tony Hansen, Outdoor Life, 22 June 2023 The layers of softer metal grab the spiral-cut rifling inside the barrel of a howitzer when it is fired, imparting spin that keeps the shell stable in flight to its target. Rebecca Lieberman, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2023 The Creedmoor gets its longrange performance reputation from a combination of 140- to 143-grain, high B.C. bullets and fast twist rifling, usually 1:8 or even 1:7.5. Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 10 Sep. 2020 The baseline model has a 16-inch barrel with six-groove rifling and a 1:9 rate of twist. Mike Dickerson, Field & Stream, 19 Aug. 2020 The Compass has a three-lug bolt, a three-position safety, a user adjustable trigger, and 5R rifling is standard. Richard Mann, Outdoor Life, 17 Sep. 2019 The rifling at the muzzle of my match rifle shows hardly any wear at all. David E. Petzal, Field & Stream, 20 Feb. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rifling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rifling was in 1797

Dictionary Entries Near rifling

Cite this Entry

“Rifling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rifling. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

rifling

noun
ri·​fling
ˈrī-f(ə-)liŋ
1
: the act or process of making spiral grooves
2
: a system of spiral grooves inside the barrel of a gun causing a bullet when fired to spin about its longer axis

More from Merriam-Webster on rifling

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!