semiautomatic

adjective

semi·​au·​to·​mat·​ic ˌse-mē-ˌȯ-tə-ˈma-tik How to pronounce semiautomatic (audio)
ˌse-ˌmī-,
-mi-
: 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
semiautomatic noun
semiautomatically adverb

Examples of semiautomatic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Second Amendment advocates argue that bans on semiautomatic rifles do little to nothing to curb mass shootings. Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 21 June 2025 Prosecutors ultimately charged her with firing a gun with gross negligence and assault with a semiautomatic firearm. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2025 Maryland's assault-weapons ban Maryland's prohibition on certain semiautomatic rifles was enacted in the wake of the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 2 June 2025 In 2019, lawmakers passed an amendment that also imposed the 30-day limit on semiautomatic rifle purchases. Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for semiautomatic

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of semiautomatic was in 1853

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Cite this Entry

“Semiautomatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semiautomatic. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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