plural pistols
1
: a small gun made to be aimed and fired with one hand
2
US, informal
: a person who has a lot of energy and spirit
—usually singular
That guy's a real pistol.
Cite this Entry
“Pistol.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/pistol. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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