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 Officials in Jordan intercepted several shipments of small arms and explosives in the past year that had been smuggled into the country, intended for recipients in the West Bank, according to two Middle Eastern intelligence officials with detailed knowledge of the events. Joby Warrick, Washington Post, 12 Nov. 2023 The aid package — the final of 2023 — will include arms and equipment, including air defense munitions, anti-armor munitions, ammunition for high mobility artillery rocket systems, and more than 15 million rounds of small arms ammunition, a State Department spokesperson said to CBS News. S. Dev, CBS News, 27 Dec. 2023 Its small arms, typical of larger tyrannosaurs, were an evolutionary adaptation, possibly aiding in maintaining balance for a two-legged animal with such a large head. Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2023 The aid package, proposed by the previous caretaker government, included air defense system rockets and millions of rounds of small arms ammunition, according to the Slovak Defense Ministry. Mary Ilyushina, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2023 And rather than withdraw, Russian forces held their positions even under heavy artillery bombardment, meaning the Ukrainians would have to engage in close combat with small arms to advance. Washington Post Staff, Washington Post, 4 Dec. 2023 Support could include supplies such as missile interceptors, artillery shells or small arms ammunition, Cotton said. Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 9 Oct. 2023 The Biden administration has approved the transfer of some 24,000 rifles to the Israeli national police, raising concerns among some U.S. officials that the small arms could end up in the hands of Israeli settlers and be used indiscriminately against Palestinian civilians. Jared Malsin, WSJ, 6 Nov. 2023 That could include small arms, sophisticated munitions and potentially two U.S. missile defense systems similar to Israel’s own Iron Dome platform. Doug Cameron, WSJ, 10 Oct. 2023

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 28 Mar. 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

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