weapon

1 of 2

noun

weap·​on ˈwe-pən 

1

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

2

: a means of contending against another

weapon

2 of 2

verb

weaponed; weaponing; weapons

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

President Donald Trump's administration agreed to permit the sale and possession of devices that let gun enthusiasts convert semiautomatic rifles into weapons that can shoot as fast as machine guns. —Nate Raymond, USA Today, 18 May 2025

As reported by Newsweek, Russia's Defense Ministry said on Friday that U.S. drones are appearing more frequently over the Black Sea, and accused Washington of using them to conduct reconnaissance and share intelligence with Kyiv to assist with the use of precision weapons supplied by the West. —Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025

Verb

With his speed and pass-catching skills, Loveland should quickly become a go-to weapon for Caleb Williams. Day 3 pick who could surprise: Luke Newman, G, Michigan State Jonah Jackson played in only four games last season, because of injuries. —Dane Brugler, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025

Challengers of the rule, which included gun manufacturers and individual gun owners, contended the 1968 Gun Control Act didn't apply to weapon parts kits and that the administrative action was an overreach. —Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English wepen, from Old English wǣpen; akin to Old High German wāffan weapon, Old Norse vāpn

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing weapon

• assault weapon
• beam weapon
• biological weapon
• chemical weapon
• murder weapon
• weapon of last resort
• weapon of mass destruction

Kids Definition

weapon

noun

weap·​on

ˈwep-ən

1

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

2

: something with which one fights or struggles against another