small arm

noun

: a handheld firearm (such as a handgun or shoulder arm)
usually used in plural

Examples of small arm in a Sentence

the soldiers keep their small arms securely in their holsters when not on patrol
Recent Examples on the Web With this minimally invasive surgery, the surgeon uses a computer with special controls that guide the robot's small arms, which have a camera and special instruments attached to them. Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 30 Sep. 2024 The 155 mm rounds are just one of the scores of ammunition, missile, air defense and advanced weapons systems the U.S. has provided Ukraine — everything from small arms bullets to advanced F-16 fighter jets. CBS News, 21 Sep. 2024 White River Energetics plans to add 100 new jobs -- nearly doubling its employment -- as part of a nearly $70 million investment to expand small arms manufacturing near Des Arc, the company announced Friday. Andrew Moreau, arkansasonline.com, 6 Sep. 2024 Indeed, since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow and Tehran have considerably expanded their military-technical cooperation, with Russia receiving various types of Iranian combat drones, artillery shells, small arms ammunition and glide bombs. Hanna Notte, Foreign Affairs, 15 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for small arm 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'small arm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1674, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of small arm was in 1674

Dictionary Entries Near small arm

Cite this Entry

“Small arm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/small%20arm. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

small arm

noun
: a firearm fired while held in the hands
usually used in plural

More from Merriam-Webster on small arm

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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