small arm

noun

: a handheld firearm (such as a handgun or shoulder arm)

—usually used in plural

Synonyms of small arm

• firearm
• gun

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

According to Artem, the Russian position consisted of soldiers armed with small arms and radios and supported by a network of observation posts monitoring the surrounding approaches. — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Earlier, Rostec also highlighted that small arms’ performance characteristics remain unchanged when using the Mnogotochie, eliminating the need for modifications or installation of attachments. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 July 2026

Those women and girls made millions of rounds of small arms ammunition, as well as cannonballs and explosives for the war effort. — Christopher Derose, CBS News, 26 June 2026

Ciber’s unit has five such machines, used sparingly, and is preparing another, faster robot, capable of covering 10 miles an hour, to carry Kalashnikov small arms into battle. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 30 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1674, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for small arm

• alarm
• disarm
• forearm
• gendarme
• nonfarm
• rearm
• charm
• farm
• harm
• firearm
• underarm

Kids Definition

small arm

noun

: a firearm fired while held in the hands

—usually used in plural