pistol

noun

pis·​tol ˈpi-stᵊl How to pronounce pistol (audio)
1
: a handgun whose chamber is integral with the barrel
broadly : handgun
2
: a notably sharp, spirited, or energetic person
pistol transitive verb

Examples of pistol in a Sentence

a real pistol, she dances rings around the other performers
Recent Examples on the Web Police seized a small military unit's haul of weapons, including 9 mm pistols, Glocks, grenades, mortars and two bars of C4 explosives. Peter Aitken, Fox News, 8 May 2024 Investigators have alleged an unfired bullet at the crime scene was ejected from Allen's semiautomatic pistol. Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 7 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for pistol 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pistol.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French pistole, from German, from Middle High German pischulle, from Czech píšt'ala, literally, pipe, fife; akin to Czech pištět to squeak

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pistol was circa 1560

Dictionary Entries Near pistol

Cite this Entry

“Pistol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pistol. Accessed 12 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

pistol

noun
pis·​tol ˈpis-tᵊl How to pronounce pistol (audio)
: a short firearm made to be aimed and fired with one hand
Etymology

from early French pistole "pistol," from German pistole (same meaning), derived from Czech píšt'ala, literally, "pipe, fife"

More from Merriam-Webster on pistol

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!