water cannon

noun

: a large truck-mounted nozzle for directing a high-pressure stream of water (as at a crowd of rioters or demonstrators)

Examples of water cannon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Officers in riot gear and driving armoured vans responded with water cannon and plastic baton rounds after being attacked by petrol bombs, scaffolding and rocks that rioters gathered by knocking down nearby walls, a Reuters witness said. Reuters, CNN Money, 10 June 2025 Riot police deployed a water cannon to stop crowds reaching the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and tear gas was used. Colin Millar, New York Times, 1 June 2025 Riot police responded with rubber bullets and a water cannon. Alexander Smith, NBC news, 12 June 2025 In response, police used plastic baton rounds and a water cannon. Callum Sutherland, Time, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for water cannon

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of water cannon was in 1891

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Cite this Entry

“Water cannon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20cannon. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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