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

After police spoke to the teen and his family, but before police sought the emergency court order to confiscate guns, the father and his wife voluntarily stored 26 weapons — pistols, rifles and shotguns — with a licensed gun dealer, according to filings in the father’s case. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026

Through most of the Cold War, nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction were, in bizarre ways, supposed to contribute to stability or even keep the peace. —Literary Hub, 27 May 2026

Verb

Disneyland visitors who have always wanted to try the $250 lightsaber building experience in Savi’s Workshop without footing the bill or having to lug the Jedi Knight weapon all over the Anaheim theme park will now get their chance. —Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 22 May 2026

Potentially, starting as a kickoff/coverage teams weapon — 15 career tackles covering punts. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026

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