as in firearm
a portable weapon from which a shot is discharged by gunpowder
the soldiers keep their small arms securely in their holsters when not on patrol
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Recent Examples of small arm
Throughout their history, they have been proven vulnerable to small arms fire in urban combat.
—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
In the virtual panel discussion last week, union leaders described the Lake City facility as the largest producer of small arms ammunition for the armed forces.
—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
20 Apr. 2026
View gallery - 6 images With a simple switch of a magazine, the Drone Round is claimed to turn a standard NATO caliber small arm into a drone-killing weapon that combines the scattershot of a shotgun with the speed, power and rapid fire of an infantry assault rifle.
—
David Szondy
april 19,
New Atlas,
19 Apr. 2026
News reports said the helicopters faced small arms fire but made it out safely with the pilot.
—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for small arm
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
In the virtual panel discussion last week, union leaders described the Lake City facility as the largest producer of small arms ammunition for the armed forces.
—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
20 Apr. 2026
View gallery - 6 images With a simple switch of a magazine, the Drone Round is claimed to turn a standard NATO caliber small arm into a drone-killing weapon that combines the scattershot of a shotgun with the speed, power and rapid fire of an infantry assault rifle.
—
David Szondy
april 19,
New Atlas,
19 Apr. 2026
News reports said the helicopters faced small arms fire but made it out safely with the pilot.
—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for small arm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small arm
Noun
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During that encounter, the officer discharged their firearm, striking the subject.
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By deed restriction, the forest is a game preserve and no firearms are allowed, according to DEEP.
Noun
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Police said Houston entered his ex-girlfriend’s home and drew a gun.
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In addition to the hundreds of pounds of meth, investigators also found $3,200 of cash, a money counter, a digital scale and multiple guns.
Cite this Entry
“Small arm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small%20arm. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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