shotgun

noun

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

Ramos, 38, of Laurel has been charged with murdering five people in a shotgun attack at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis on Thursday. — Dennis Romero /, NBC News, "Annapolis paper dropped '13 harassment complaint against shooting suspect," 30 June 2018 As the rebels and soldiers fought, government forces also fired bullets, shotgun pellets and tear gas at the protesters who tried to reach the gunbattle site. — Fox News, "2 rebels, teen killed during fighting, protests in Kashmir," 10 July 2018 Until late last month, police say, when his anger exploded in shotgun blasts in the Annapolis newsroom of The Capital. — Ian Duncan, baltimoresun.com, "Capital Gazette shooting suspect's anger flared, and fell silent. Then, police say, it exploded," 8 July 2018 Officials said a woman was struck by one of the shotgun pellets in the leg causing injuries that were not life threatening. — Cameron Knight, Cincinnati.com, "Police: Woman struck when officer fired shotgun at dog," 6 July 2018 Government forces fired shotgun pellets and tear gas at the stone-throwing protesters, injuring at least 20. — Aijaz Hussain, The Christian Science Monitor, "India takes control of Kashmir territory," 25 June 2018 No one was hurt by the shotgun pellets, police said. — Bruce Henderson, charlotteobserver, "Wendy's employee fires shotgun into customers' car at the drive-thru, cops say," 22 June 2018 Police say Ramos used a shotgun to blast through the doors of the newspaper's Annapolis offices and kill staffers Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith and Wendi Winters. — Crimesider Staff, CBS News, "Virginia editor receives card apparently sent by accused Capital Gazette shooter," 6 July 2018 The rise in shotgun popularity was partly a response to the diverse nickel fronts that defenses started presenting right around the time Gruden left coaching for broadcasting. — Andy Benoit, SI.com, "Jon Gruden Is Back, With a Big Rebuilding Job: 10 Thoughts on the Raiders," 18 June 2018

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.