weapon

noun

weap·on | \ˈwe-pən

Definition of weapon

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : something (such as a club, knife, or gun) used to injure, defeat, or destroy

2 : a means of contending against another

weapon

verb

weaponed; weaponing; weapons

Definition of weapon (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: arm

Examples of weapon in a Sentence

Noun

assault with a deadly weapon The pitcher's slider is his most effective weapon. a new weapon in the fight against cancer The mayor's campaign unleashed its secret weapon.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The boys were detained, but officers never found weapons. — Jewel Wicker, Teen Vogue, "Viral Video Shows Black Boys Detained at a Park in Minnesota After 911 Caller Claimed They Had Weapons," 13 July 2018 The Russians are probably moving nuclear weapons into Kaliningrad which violate the INF treaty. — Fox News, "Meadows, Dershowitz react after Lisa Page defies subpoena," 12 July 2018 Thomason faces charges of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, leaving the scene of a fatal crash, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charges, according to court records obtained by PEOPLE. — PEOPLE.com, "Dental Hygienist Allegedly Fatally Rammed Woman with Her Mercedes — and Said God Made Her Do It," 12 July 2018 The footage posted on YouTube on Tuesday by the BBC shows part of a May incident that led to assault and weapons charges against Jeremy Floyd, 39, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. — Crystal Hill, miamiherald, "A nervous woman passes a note at vet’s office, video shows. ‘Call the cops,’ it reads," 11 July 2018 There’s only one reason: so nobody uses a nuclear weapon on us. — Michael Cooper, New York Times, "Bringing ‘Doctor Atomic’ to the Birthplace of the Bomb," 6 July 2018 Taylor has always managed to be a sufficient fantasy asset and has never had weapons like this. — Eddie Brown, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Fantasy Football 2018: Cleveland Browns Preview," 4 July 2018 Scott was charged with having weapons in a motor vehicle, carrying a pistol without a permit, criminal possession of a firearm and second-degree threatening. — Mikaela Porter, courant.com, "Hartford Police Arrest Springfield Man Following Report He Was Armed, Threatened People," 3 July 2018 The suggestion of shipping the North’s nuclear weapons out of the country is naive and dangerous. — Deb Riechmann, The Seattle Times, "Experts see risks in US plan to dismantle NKorea’s nukes," 2 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Each crime fit the same modus operandi including the suspect’s build and weapon description, the report said. — John R. Ellement, BostonGlobe.com, "Boston police arrest suspect in 24 armed robberies," 6 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'weapon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near weapon

Phrases Related to weapon

murder weapon

weapon of last resort

weapon of mass destruction

weapons of mass destruction

Statistics for weapon

Last Updated

14 Oct 2018

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for weapon

The first known use of weapon was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for weapon

weapon

noun

English Language Learners Definition of weapon

: something (such as a gun, knife, club, or bomb) that is used for fighting or attacking someone or for defending yourself when someone is attacking you

: something (such as a skill, idea, or tool) that is used to win a contest or achieve something

See the full definition for weapon in the English Language Learners Dictionary

weapon

noun

weap·on | \ˈwe-pən