shotgun

1 of 2

noun

shot·​gun ˈshät-ˌgən 

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 transitive verb

shotgunner

ˈshät-ˌgə-nər 

noun

shotgun

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or using a shotgun

2

: involving coercion

3

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

Examples of shotgun in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In April 2024, the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission approved a night hunting season for coyotes and bobcats, which is limited to private property and shotgun only with landowner permission. —Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Dec. 2025

Vaccination, then, triggers something of a shotgun approach to viral defense rather than loading up a sniper rifle to go after just one particular threat. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Dec. 2025

Adjective

In 2019, in non-shotgun formations, Jackson had 19 drop-backs and combined with Ravens running backs for 27 carries, according to Sports Info Solutions. —Jonas Shaffer, baltimoresun.com, 3 June 2021

Lunch and registration begin at 11 a.m., with a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start. —Post-Tribune, 7 July 2017

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing shotgun

• ride shotgun
• sawed-off shotgun
• sawn-off shotgun
• shotgun house
• shotgun marriage
• shotgun seat
• shotgun start

Rhymes for shotgun

• begun
• grandson
• gudrun
• handgun
• homespun
• outdone
• outrun
• pashtun
• redone
• rerun
• someone
• stepson

Kids Definition

shotgun

noun

shot·​gun

ˈshät-ˌgən

: a firearm used to fire small shot at short range