shotgun

noun

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shot·gun | \ ˈshät-ˌgən

Definition of shotgun

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a usually smoothbore shoulder weapon capable of firing shot at short ranges

2 : an offensive football formation in which the quarterback plays a few yards behind the line of scrimmage and the other backs are scattered as flankers or slotbacks

shotgun

adjective

Definition of shotgun (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : of, relating to, or using a shotgun

2 : involving coercion

3 : covering a wide field with hit-or-miss effectiveness

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Examples of shotgun in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun While Grinnell collected and surveyed specimens by shotgun and deadly snap traps, the Pattons set 200 live traps each night, recording their catch over four or five days. — Jim Morrison, Wired, "What a 1900s Wildlife Survey Reveals About Climate Change," 23 Feb. 2021 There are shortages of rifle, shotgun and pistol ammo at some of the bigger stores such as Bass Pro Shops and Academy Sports. — Dallas News, "Toilet paper is back on shelves, but these 6 things are still tough to find nearly a year into the pandemic," 12 Feb. 2021 In a photograph posted to one of Mr. Fisher’s Facebook pages and sent to the F.B.I. by an unnamed informant, Mr. Fisher poses grinning before a Trump flag, a pistol in his hand, a rifle and a shotgun behind him. — Sarah Maslin Nir, New York Times, "The Misogynistic ‘Dating Coach’ Who Was Charged in the Capitol Riot," 4 Feb. 2021 The man arrested after rampaging through the Capitol with zip-tie handcuffs had proudly posted to Facebook a photograph with his shotgun and Fox Business on a giant screen in the background. — Ben Smith, New York Times, "Fox Settled a Lawsuit Over Its Lies. But It Insisted on One Unusual Condition.," 17 Jan. 2021 My shotgun slid sideways along the mesh wire fence that held the blind together. — Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, "The Evolution of Shotgun Coatings: From Blued Barrels to (Mostly) Impervious Firearm Finishes," 11 Jan. 2021 Arik wanted to be able to handle his shotgun again. — Star Tribune, "Fighting to live again: Shot in the head, Waseca cop endures grueling year of healing," 10 Jan. 2021 The keys are to keep the muzzle of your shotgun below the rabbit’s line of travel and force yourself to look at the head instead of the conspicuous white tail located at the wrong end. — Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, "Why Rabbit Hunting Is the Most Fun You Can Have in Winter," 1 Dec. 2020 Christine broke open her shotgun and dropped two shells into the breech, preparing to move in and flush the birds. — Steve Meyer, Anchorage Daily News, "Forming new rituals on a perfect day of ice fishing on a frozen Alaska lake," 28 Nov. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Lunch and registration begin at 11 a.m., with a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start. — Post-Tribune, "Community calendar," 7 July 2017 Outing highlights include: Registration, lunch and a putting contest (noon) Shotgun start (1:30 p.m.) Dinner (6:30 p.m.) Proximities, skins, awards and a 50/50 raffle Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the event. — Megan Becka, cleveland.com, "Akron Snow Angels to hold golf outing fundraiser," 13 June 2017 Outing highlights include: Registration, lunch and a putting contest (noon) Shotgun start (1:30 p.m.) Dinner (6:30 p.m.) Proximities, skins, awards and a 50/50 raffle Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the event. — Megan Becka, cleveland.com, "Akron Snow Angels to hold golf outing fundraiser," 13 June 2017 Check-in at 11 a.m. followed by 1 p.m. shotgun start. — Nick Roth, The Mercury News, "Golf events, tournaments, fundraisers," 7 June 2017

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