semiautomatic

adjective

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semi·au·to·mat·ic | \ ˌse-mē-ˌȯ-tə-ˈma-tik

, ˌse-ˌmī-, -mi- \

Definition of semiautomatic

: not fully automatic: such as

a : operated partly automatically and partly by hand

b of a firearm : able to fire repeatedly through an automatic reloading process but requiring release and another pressure of the trigger for each successive shot a semiautomatic rifle

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Examples of semiautomatic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Wilson Combat, the Louis Vuitton of the semiautomatic-firearm business, currently lists not a single rifle or handgun in stock and hasn’t in months. — Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 31 May 2021 Hall was charged with voluntary manslaughter and assault with a semiautomatic firearm. — Jocelyn Gecker, Star Tribune, 20 May 2021 Mark McCloskey came out of his home with an AR-15-style rifle and Patricia McCloskey emerged with a semiautomatic handgun. — Jim Salter, USA TODAY, 19 May 2021 Mark McCloskey came out of his home with an AR-15-style rifle and Patricia McCloskey emerged with a semiautomatic handgun. — Jim Salter, Star Tribune, 18 May 2021 Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton on Wednesday charged Hall with voluntary manslaughter and assault with a semiautomatic firearm, two felonies stemming from a deadly encounter on Nov. 3, 2018. — Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, 22 Apr. 2021 The struggle escalated before one suspect wielding a semiautomatic handgun shot him. — Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 30 Apr. 2021 Mark McCloskey came out of his home with an AR-15-style rifle and Patricia McCloskey emerged with a semiautomatic handgun. — Fox News, 30 Apr. 2021 In the cupholder behind him was semiautomatic handgun. — Washington Post, 22 Apr. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'semiautomatic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.