gun

1 of 2

noun

ˈgən 

1

a

: a piece of ordnance usually with high muzzle velocity and comparatively flat trajectory

b

: a portable firearm (such as a rifle or handgun)

c

: a device that throws a projectile

2

a

: a discharge of a gun especially as a salute or signal

b

: a signal marking a beginning or ending

3

a

: hunter

b

: gunman

4

: something suggesting a gun in shape or function

5

: throttle

6

slang : a person's arm

specifically : an arm that has well-defined muscles

—usually plural

Conor was spotted rowing away from The Loeb Boathouse in Central Park Saturday with his girlfriend, Dee Devlin, and their cute son, Conor Jr. The famous fighter showed off his guns while handling the oars for his crew.

—TMZ.com

The Heisman Trophy-winning and former NFL quarterback worked the stage the way he probably jabs through the weight room—whilst checking out his guns in the mirror …

—Tory Barron

gunned

ˈgənd 

adjective

gun

2 of 2

verb

gunned; gunning

transitive verb

1

a

: to fire on

b

: shoot

gunned down by a hit man

2

a

: to open up the throttle of so as to increase speed

gun the engine

b

: fire sense 3b

gunned the ball to first base

intransitive verb

: to hunt with a gun

Phrases

under the gun

: under pressure or attack

gun for

: to aim at or go after with determination or effort

Did you know?

A ballista (a large missile-thrower in the form of a crossbow) that defended Windsor Castle in the 14th century was named in Latin Domina Gunilda, or “Lady Gunilda.” Gunilda is an Old Norse name and is a compound of gunnr and hildr, both words meaning “battle.” The English may have learned the name from early Norsemen who knew its etymological significance, or its use by the English may have been a coincidence. However, the use of this name for the Windsor ballista was not an isolated incident. Gonnylyde was the name of a cannon in a 14th century song. Our word gun, which also traces back to the 14th century, is probably a shortening of Gunilda.

Synonyms

Noun

• firearm
• rifle

Verb

• shoot
• drill

Examples of gun in a Sentence

Noun

a gun battle between gang members and the police

She claimed that the gun went off accidentally.

Verb

She let the car coast down the hill, then gunned it.

The shortstop gunned the ball to first base.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Along with the marijuana, police seized more than $500,000 in cash and six guns, according to the Facebook post. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 June 2025

To be sure, Barrett has played a key part in dramatic rightward shifts in American law, voting to overrule Roe v. Wade, end affirmative action, limit the power of federal agencies, and expand the rights of gun owners. —Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 25 June 2025

Verb

When Jorge Mateo singled to right with two outs in the seventh, Refsnyder gunned to third, where Mayer made the inning-ending tag look effortless. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 25 May 2025

Deputy Prosecutors Brad Carter and Bernie Johnsen said the Crosses tracked Bursey’s vehicle down; Bursey was unarmed before Billy Cross gunned him down. —Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English gonne, gunne

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1622, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing gun

• air gun
• anti-gun
• BB gun
• big gun
• Bofors gun
• Browning machine gun
• burp gun
• electron gun
• Gatling gun
• ghost gun
• give the gun
• gun control
• gun down
• gun for
• gun lap
• gun moll
• gun rights
• gun room
• gun-shy
• hired gun
• hold/put a gun to someone's head
• jump the gun
• long gun
• machine gun
• pellet gun
• Quaker gun
• radar gun
• riot gun
• run-and-gun
• six-gun
• smoking gun
• son of a gun
• spray gun
• squirt gun
• staple gun
• starting gun
• stun gun
• submachine gun
• Thompson submachine gun
• tommy gun
• top gun
• water gun
• young gun
• zip gun

Rhymes for gun

• bun
• done
• dun
• fun
• hun
• jun
• none
• nun
• one
• pun
• run
• shun

Kids Definition

gun

1 of 2 noun

ˈgən 

1

a

: an artillery piece with a usually long barrel and firing shot or shells in a somewhat flattened curve

b

: a portable firearm (as a rifle or pistol)

2

a

: a firing of a gun

a 21-gun salute

b

: a signal marking a beginning or ending

the opening gun of the campaign

3

: something suggesting a gun in shape or use

a grease gun

4

: throttle entry 2 sense 1

gunned

ˈgənd 

adjective

gun

2 of 2 verb

gunned; gunning

1

: to hunt or shoot with a gun

gunning for rabbits

2

: to open up the throttle of so as to increase speed

gun the engine