semiautomatic

adjective

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

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

ˌse-mē-ˌȯ-tə-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē 

ˌse-ˌmī-

-mi-

adverb

Examples of semiautomatic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Minnesota’s existing gun regulations Minnesota law requires a permit to purchase certain semiautomatic rifles and pistols. —Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 31 Aug. 2025

The state passed a law in 2023 requiring gun buyers to pass universal background checks and to obtain permits for pistols or semiautomatic military-style assault weapons. —Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2025

The second notebook had a sticker on the inside cover depicting a semiautomatic AK-style rifle on top of a trans equality pride flag. —Claudia Lauer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025

Parent Reported Seeing Shooter Fire '50 to 100 Shots' The Minneapolis Star-Tribune spoke to a parent who was sitting in the back pew of the church and saw the shooter open fire with a semiautomatic weapon. —Liam Quinn, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for semiautomatic

• antidemocratic
• bacteriostatic
• heterochromatic
• idiosyncratic
• nonadiabatic
• paleoclimatic
• achromatic
• acrobatic
• adriatic
• aliphatic
• antistatic
• aromatic